In May, we entered Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown, permitting us to reunite with loved ones inside, head back to spin classes and to the cinema - or whatever other pass-time takes your fancy! It has been great to see everyone together safely and to watch businesses across Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent warmly welcoming customers after so long.

For English Tourism Week, I used my social media to help spread the word about our local attractions that are now open and providing fun for the whole family. From the Explosion Museum to Gosport Gallery and SEARCH there is plenty to do in the constituency and beyond this summer.

To say thanks to all the brilliant businesses and organisations across the constituency for their efforts over the past year, I have launched my Community Business Champions campaign! Applications have now closed, but thank you to everyone who submitted their chosen business and I look forward to visiting and speaking with those nominated.

I know there have been some concerns regarding the variant first identified in India, but promising early evidence shows that two doses of either Astrazeneca and Pzifer are highly effective and, fingers crossed that we remain on track to enter Step 4 on June 21st. Over 65 million jabs have been administered - including nearly 100,000 vaccines to Gosport Constituents - I had mine at Lee on the Solent surgery - which means nearly 75% of the adult population have received one dose, and nearly 49% two! Those over the age of 30 are being invited to book their vaccine on the NHS website.

It was good to catch up this month with Chief Inspector Mark Lewis about the ongoing work of police forces across Gosport and Fareham who are striving to keep our streets safe and tackle local crime.

I also met the new Chief Executive of Queen Alexandra Hospital, Penny Emerit, to discuss her plans for the hospital, ongoing challenges that they face and the outstanding efforts of staff who are continuing to provide healthcare for residents from the Gosport Constituency and beyond.

We also had another regular meeting of the Gosport Taskforce - which I formed back in 2016 to navigate the disposal of local Government owned sites - to talk about the future of Fort Blockhouse and the Immigration Removal Centre at Haslar get an update on the Solent Maritime Enterprise Zone.

Best of luck to Andy and the family who I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this month at their newly launched Gosport Plant and Tool Hire! Based at Basepoint, they hire a huge range of kit, big and small, from mallets to rotavators, diggers to mowers.

Really pleased to see that Historic England has awarded Gosport £100,000 to bring our heritage and high street to life. Gosport is one of the six high streets in the South East to receive funding to run tours of the high street and town, as well as a ‘First Timers Festival’ to encourage visitors to try something creative for the first time. Traders and artists from the constituency will be able to sell their goods and creative grants will be available for local projects.

In Parliament, it was an exciting month as the Queen's Speech detailed the 31 Bills that are being introduced to help us build back better and tackle our ongoing priorities.

This included the Online Safety Bill which I have been working hard on in my ministerial capacity to protect vulnerable users and children, hold tech firms to account for what is published on their platforms and introduce Ofcom as a new regulator.

In addition to the Queen's Speech, we have seen:

The biggest rail reform in 25 years to transform journeys from Portsmouth and Fareham.
£166 million to invest in industry and companies such as BAE systems in Portsmouth to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise sectors.
An extra £200 million for the Rough Sleeping Initiative which has already reduced rough sleeping in regions by 32%.
An extra £17 million to improve mental health and wellbeing in schools, and I urged constituents to #ConnectWithNature for Mental Health Awareness Week.

We also celebrated National Numeracy Day which is something that I have a particular interest in as I previously lead a study into adult literacy and numeracy on the Business & Industry Select Committee and formed an All Party Parliamentary Group for Maths and Numeracy. You can build your skills and confidence in numbers for free by taking part in the National Numeracy Challenge.

For Dementia Action Week, I thanked our care workers and providers across the constituency for their tireless work supporting those with dementia and their families. This included those who work at the newly reopened Gosport Care and Wellbeing Centre at the Discovery Centre which I recently had the chance to visit.

I also met with Endometriosis South Coast regarding the first-ever government-led Women's Health Strategy that I worked back on during my time as Minister of State for Care. I am encouraging local women, carers, clinicians and organisations to respond to the call for evidence, before it closes on Sunday 13 June, to help shape the future of women’s healthcare.

I also want to thank everyone who went out last month and voted in the local elections. A fantastic result as all Conservative Councillors held their seats in Gosport Borough Council and we gained two new brilliant female Councillors - Lesley Meenaghan for Town and Zoe Huggins for Hampshire County Council!

Starting this week, we have Volunteers Week where I have invited some of our brilliant local volunteers to take over my social media to discuss the work that they do across our community and to talk more about their voluntary organisation. Make sure to keep an eye out on my Instagram and Facebook pages to hear from Gosport Voluntary Action, the Scouts and many more!

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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