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Over the past month, it has been great to get out and about more across the Gosport Constituency as [ certain businesses ]( [link removed] ) were able to reopen their doors from April 12th.

It was certainly a relief to finally get a professional pair of hands on my hair (despite the best efforts of my son over recent months!) at [ Unit 10 ]( [link removed] ) Royal Clarence Yard.  I also popped to meet Kristie and the team at [ Barnet's Hair and Beauty ]( [link removed] ) to hear about the reopening process. I paid a visit to the fantastic team of volunteers at [ Gosport Borough FC's Feed a Family in Need ]( [link removed] ) HQ. They have been supporting people across the constituency with food parcels since the lockdown started last year. They have now opened the [ Gosport Food Pantry ]( [link removed] ) at the site, which offers affordable groceries for families in difficulty. While I was at Boro' Keith showed me their fab new al fresco '[ Trappers ]( [link removed] )' bar, where punters can enjoy drinks and food (complete with hot water bottles if required!).
 
Like many people, this month I have been embracing every opportunity to finally escape my own cooking - with trips to many local venues including [ The Seahorse ]( [link removed] ), [ The Boathouse ]( [link removed] ), and [ The Lightship ]( [link removed] ) as well as [ Arty's ]( [link removed] )at Clarence Yard, where the stunning new restaurant extension will be opening later this month.

I also officially reopened the fantastic [ Gosport Care & Wellbeing Centre ]( [link removed] ) run by [ Age Concern Hampshire ]( [link removed] ) that provides support for older residents and those with dementia.  The wonderful team of care professionals have been able to carry out home visits over recent months but there was a palpable sense of joy for all concerned to be able to gather in small groups once more.

This month my team and I also finished our [ '10 for 10' challenge ]( [link removed] ) - walking 10,000 steps on 10 different days - to raise awareness for [ Gosport Voluntary Action Group (GVA) ]( [link removed] ). You can find out more about our efforts and support GVA directly [ here ]( [link removed] ).   
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More than [ 6,800 grants worth over £42 million ]( [link removed] ) have been distributed to businesses across Gosport and Fareham over the past year and Gosport and Fareham Borough Council have received £7.3 million to allocate in [ Restart Grants ]( [link removed] ) to ensure that businesses can safely welcome back customers in the coming months.   
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I joined [ Business South ]( [link removed] ) for a virtual breakfast to discuss economic recovery in our local area and how businesses cross our region will be able to build back better following the pandemic.
 



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Other support is also available for our youngest residents who are looking to get on the job ladder. So far, over 6,500 people aged 16-24, on Universal Credit, have a Kickstart Scheme placement - fully funded for 6 months. Gosport businesses can sign up to offer an exciting opportunity [ here ]( [link removed]- ).

On the subject of building back better, I met with Hampshire Country Council, Gosport Borough Council and the Solent LEP to discuss our proposed local bids for projects through the [ Levelling Up Fund ]( [link removed] ) - the Gosport Constituency could benefit from up to £150,000.  
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In addition, I was pleased to see more of the heritage and culture organisations in our part of Hampshire benefit from millions more pounds of support from the [ Cultural Recovery Fund ]( [link removed] ) - a £1.57 billion fund that I helped secure as Minister of State for Culture - including the [ Brickworks Museum ]( [link removed] ), [ Wedgewood Rooms ]( [link removed] ) and [ Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust ]( [link removed] ). You can find the full list of beneficiaries [ here ]( [link removed] ).
 
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Over April, there has been some great progress as the vaccination programme continues to drive down infection and hospitalisation rates. So far, over 76,326 vaccines have been administered to more than 55,172 Gosport residents. Across the UK, 1/4 adults have had two vaccines and 3/5 have at least one. A [ new study ]( [link removed] ) also shows that one vaccine can reduce the risk of transmission by 50%. Those aged 40 and above may now book their vaccine and I would encourage everyone to get their jab when called.   
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It was good to talk to Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust's new CEO, Hannah Prowse, about the future plans for [ Priddy's Hard ]( [link removed] ). I also had the opportunity to chat with [ Gosport Fareham and Multi Academy Trust ]( [link removed] ) about education in our area and the [ YMCA Nursery ]( [link removed] ) regarding Early Years funding. 

Great news as the [ Hornet Sailing Club ]( [link removed] ) has been successful in their bid for £399,983 from Historic England to repair one of the [ guardhouses ]( [link removed] )that dates back to 1861, to provide facilities for local organisations such as the sea cadets.  
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Nationally, there have been a number of announcements that will bring real benefits for residents across Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent. 
 
Hampshire has recruited [ 328 police officers ]( [link removed] ) in the past year, part of the 8,771 new officers nationally. I joined Police and Crime Commissioner candidate [ Donna Jones ]( [link removed] ) for a [ Facebook live Q&A ]( [link removed] ) earlier this week to discuss local crime issues. As the previous Leader of Portsmouth City Council and a Magistrate Donna has a proven track record and the knowledge needed to be an excellent fit for this role - I do hope you will all support her in the elections this week.
 
In addition, more than 6,300 doctors and 11,200 nurses have joined the ranks of the NHS to provide vital support and care. 
 
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage has been [ raised ]( [link removed] ), increasing the pay of 283,000 people in the South East. 
 
A new [ mental health hub ]( [link removed] ) is coming to Hampshire in the coming months, 1 of the 10 initial sites with another 16 to open across the country by next April. 
 
To make homeownership a reality for constituents, a new [ 95% mortgage guarantee ]( [link removed] ) has been announced - the scheme will be available through major high street lenders and offer a 5% deposit scheme for homes up to £600,000. 
 
By 2035 we will aim to cut carbon emissions by 78%. This month I joined [ PETA to go vegan for Earth Day ]( [link removed] ), promoting the benefits of a balanced and environmentally friendly diet, and also joined [ SERT ]( [link removed] ) to discuss their Clean Energy Hub which will work with employers to train workforces that can deliver our net-zero ambitions.

Like many residents, I was appalled by the tone-deaf announcement of a European Super League. A new [ root and branch fan-led review ]( [link removed] ) into football Governance will ensure that football fans have a bigger role and say in the future of their clubs.  
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Parliament has now been prorogued ahead of the Queen’s Speech and new Parliamentary Session on 11th May. Over this Parliamentary session, we have passed laws to protect our NHS, drive jobs and investment, and regain control over our trade and borders. [ Here ]( [link removed] ) are some of the 44 Bills passed that deliver on the people’s priorities.



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Coming up, this week there are local elections for Hampshire County Council, Gosport & Fareham Borough Council and the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner.  This is your chance to have your say on how the Gosport Constituency is run.
 
It's so vitally important that we have strong, Conservative led Councils. People who share our values, love our area and are determined to work together to strengthen our NHS, make our streets safer and ensure Gosport is front and centre when it comes to getting our share of Government funding. While others parties are more interested in point scoring & game playing, it is Conservatives, locally and nationally, who have been relentlessly focussed on what really matters; getting jabs in arms, protecting our loved ones and building back better.
 
I have been supporting a number of the Conservative candidates in Gosport and Fareham over the last few weeks. It is a strong team with an excellent track record of delivering improvements for our residents.  You can find out more about the candidates in your area [ here ]( [link removed] ).  It's important to remember that, up and down the country Conservative councils are proven to be better run, with lower council tax.  Please don't risk this by giving your vote to the Liberal Democrats or Labour Party.
 
If voting by post, don't forget to post your ballot before May 4th or hand in your ballot paper into your polling station on May 6th before 10pm.   
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As ever, my team and I are here to help so if you have any questions or queries, please do email [email protected].  
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Caroline Dinenage MP
167 Stoke Road 
Gosport 
PO12 1SE
[email protected]  
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