Dominic Raab MP's Newsletter - April 2021 View this email in your browser ([link removed])
Dom Raab MP's Newsletter - April 2021
Hello there,

Welcome to my April 2021 newsletter.

This month, we have had the very sad news of the deaths of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and local councillor Dorothy Mitchell. Both will be dearly missed, and I pay tribute to them below.

In my local work this month, I’ve been focused on supporting businesses as we ease the lockdown restrictions, and gearing up for the local elections on 6 May. I’ve also been out volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Cobham. There’s more on this, and what I’ve been up to as Foreign Secretary, below.

Best wishes,
Local Matters

Checking in on local businesses in Thames Ditton

First, I want to pay tribute to councillor Dorothy Mitchell, who sadly passed away last week. Dorothy was a very kind and tenacious person, and I will never forget her support, candid advice and wonderful wit. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

In my local work this month, I’ve focused on supporting businesses to bounce back from the pandemic, particularly since non-essential retail re-opened on 12 April. As part of this, I’ve been:
* Checking in ([link removed]) on small businesses on Thames Ditton High Street, hearing about the innovative measures that people like Cecilia at La Fontana (an Italian café and deli) have taken to adapt to the restrictions.

* Hosting virtual discussions with local businesses – including one with the Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng ([link removed]) , and another with the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses ([link removed]) .

Elsewhere this month, I helped out ([link removed]) with Meals on Wheels in Cobham, and had another successful virtual Q&A session ([link removed]) with residents.

Finally, local elections are taking place next week, on 6 May. In Elmbridge, residents will be voting for councillors on Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey County Council, as well as for Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner. You can find more information about the elections here ([link removed]) , and about the brilliant Conservative candidates - who I'll be supporting, and I hope you will be voting for - here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) and here ([link removed]) .
Elmbridge vaccination update:

69,636 residents

vaccinated with at least 1 dose

(As of 25 April)
Westminster Watch
Visiting the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque in Brunei-Darussalam (Photo credit - Number 10 Flickr account, under a Creative Commons license ([link removed]) )
In my role as Foreign Secretary this month, I travelled to South East Asia, visiting Indonesia and Brunei-Darussalam. This was my fourth visit ([link removed]) to South East Asia as Foreign Secretary, which really sets out the growing importance of this region and the wider Indo-Pacific.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, I met the President, Foreign Minister and Health Minister, discussing our growing trade partnership and international collaboration in pandemic preparedness. In Brunei-Darussalam I had meetings around trade, climate, and security issues, and had the opportunity to visit the beautiful Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque (pictured above). Joining a ministerial dialogue between the UK and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), I also explored ASEAN Dialogue Partner status for the UK.

Elsewhere this month:
* I announced ([link removed]) the UK’s first sanctions under our new Global Anti-Corruption regime. These sanctions target 22 individuals involved in notorious corruption cases in Russia, South Africa, South Sudan and Latin America. They stop these individuals from entering and channelling money through the UK.

* I spoke to several of my counterparts around the world – including the Czech Foreign Minister, to express ([link removed]) the UK’s solidarity with the Czech Republic against Russia’s dangerous actions there, and the Indian External Affairs Minister, to discuss ([link removed]) our cooperation on tackling Coronavirus and the support the UK is providing India with its challenges at the moment.

State of the Nation

Earlier this month, The Queen announced the very sad news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip lived a life of duty and service, representing the United Kingdom across the Commonwealth and around the world. I particularly remember his visit to Reeds School in Cobham, and the wonderful ease with which he engaged with the pupils. He will be profoundly missed.

On Coronavirus, the vaccination programme has continued to proceed apace. Over 69,000 local residents have now received at least one vaccine dose. At the national level, over 34 million people have received a vaccine, and a quarter of UK adults have received two doses. This is a huge achievement, and I urge all residents to get vaccinated when you are called.

In other good news this month:
* Several forecasters upgraded their predictions of the UK’s economic growth. The Financial Times reported ([link removed]) that the average forecast is for 5.4% growth in 2021 – with one bank even predicting ([link removed]) growth of 7.8%.

* The government launched a new, 95% mortgage guarantee scheme. This government-backed mortgage scheme ([link removed]) will help first-time buyers or current homeowners secure a mortgage with a deposit of just 5%.

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