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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No 131. 16 years ago yesterday you elected me as your MP in what was at the time one of the most marginal seats in the country. Throughout the rollercoaster of my political career it has been nothing but a total & utter privilege - thank you to everyone for giving me your trust over that period. Thank you also to my brilliant and hard working South West Surrey Conservatives (who are also very busy today). It is also a proud day for the Hunt family as it will the first time I vote with Lucia who became a British citizen last year.

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PANDEMIC STATS As of today, we had a total of 4,425,940 positive cases of COVID-19 with 127,570 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,871 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 246 confirmed deaths, with just 8 estimated active cases in Waverley. It is the first time since doing these emails when our estimated cases are in single figures…quite a milestone. 30% of adults have now had two vaccine doses in the UK and over 34.7m people have received first dose vaccinations – a spectacular achievement. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

SCHOOLS SURVEY Fewer secondary school students and staff are testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Schools Infection Survey ([link removed]) . The decline in infection rates is particularly reassuring and underscores the importance of mass community-based testing without which we wouldn’t know this information.

VARIOUS VARIANTS The government has announced plans to establish new laboratories in Porton Down ([link removed]) to investigate current and new vaccines against variants of concern. The project is backed by £29.3m which will mean that researchers will have the capacity to test 3,000 blood samples a week. But the real thing we could do to reduce the risks of new variants is to back President Biden’s initiative at the WHO for a temporary waiver on COVID-19 patents. This is the best way to stop the Indian tragedy reaching Africa ([link removed]) as I have just tweeted.

BATTLING ON SOCIAL CARE I heard every excuse under the sun on social care during my (sadly failed) battles to fix the system as Health Secretary. This one reported in the Telegraph ([link removed]) is not a new one. When you have means-tested free care for the poorest at the moment, the initial benefits of a cap inevitably help middle-income families most initially. The key is to raise the floor at which means testing kicks in (as Andrew Dilnot suggests) to make sure benefits are spread equitably. The solution reduces long-term cost pressures on social care by making it easier for people to live independently at home for longer. But they require political will so all eyes remain on the Queen’s speech next week! Excellent editorial in today’s Mail and full Twitter thread here ([link removed]) .

The key number to remember for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

DEMOCRACY CRISIS? Hillary Clinton was on fire on at Tuesday’s Chatham’s House conversation on the future of liberal democracies, brilliantly compered by William Hague. Is there a crisis in western democracies right now? You bet... video here ([link removed]) . Also worth listening to Hillary not mincing her words about irresponsible behaviour by tech companies undermining modern democracies ([link removed]) . Moving to China, what's the smart way to deal with the Communist country which allows dialogue on issues like climate change whilst not compromising our values on human rights? Listen to this forthright answer ([link removed]) . More discussion about China here ([link removed]) (arms controls) and here ([link removed]) (supply chains/economic dependency).

IMPORTANT INDIA Earlier in the week Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Modi agreed to a 2030 Roadmap that will improve co-operation between our two great countries. Throughout the 2019 Conservative leadership race, pre-pandemic, I often stressed that friendship between India and the UK would be one of my highest priorities if elected Prime Minister ([link removed]) and so I welcome this announcement enthusiastically, especially at this difficult time. Click here ([link removed]) to find out more about the future commitments.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE It’s Polling Day! No matter who you vote for, please do vote -we are very lucky to live in a free country. I would like to wish all candidates the best of luck, especially my community-minded Conservative colleagues who have worked tremendously hard throughout and will make brilliant Councillors. Don’t forget to take a selfie with your dog at the polling station which seems to be the new trend…

GALLING GRAFFITI is causing widespread community concern in Farnham. Many have observed an increase in graffiti over the few last weeks which is antisocial behaviour which should be reported to the Council (and in some extreme cases, the police). The pandemic has sadly clearly had many unintended consequences in areas not related to health - I talk about another in my Herald article ([link removed]) , namely the increase in littering. Thanks to all (from many different parties incidentally) who joined me for litter picks in Farnham, Milford and Haslemere last Saturday.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed]) .

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

SUPERMARKET SHOPPING Following the easing of restrictions, more and more people are back shopping in supermarkets ([link removed]) , while online grocery sales have decelerated. Back in March, online sales were up 92% year on year. Nevertheless, that growth slowed to 25% last month. Great news for Lidl and Aldi, which do not use online shopping services, and have observed the biggest uplift.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

BLOOD BIOMARKERS could predict the exact birth date of babies in the future, according to scientists at the Stanford University. Click here ([link removed]) to find out about the new approach, which could revolutionise pregnancies.

AND FINALLY, to brighten up your day – a 65-year-old COVID-19 nurse from Suffolk has won £10,000 per month for a year ([link removed]) on the National Lottery and now plans on buying a house on a Caribbean island with her winnings. That’s a lotto money…and well deserved.

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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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South West Surrey Conservative Association . 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road . Hindhead . Surrey, GU26 6TD . United Kingdom