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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my South West Surrey update No.160 A big week as 120 world leaders descend on Glasgow for COP26, parliament votes controversially to change its standards system and my Select Committee interviews the new-ish health secretary for the first time. As ever if you know anyone (a neighbour perhaps?) who might like to receive this email please forward it on. Anyone can sign up here ([link removed]) to receive them and of course unsubscribe at any time.

PANDEMIC UPDATE As of 11 am this morning, we have had a total of 9,171,660 positive cases of COVID-19 with 141,181 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 13,337 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 244 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 642 active cases in Waverley. In the last week in the UK coronavirus cases are down 9.7%, hospital admissions up 2.3% and deaths up 13%. Soberingly despite headline falls in new cases, prevalence in the community continues to rise according to the ONS – in the week ending 22nd October 1.1m people had the virus ([link removed]) which equates to around 1 in 50 vs 1 in 55 in the previous week. The focus on booster jabs seems to be helping as more than 800,000 people have had one in the last three days ([link removed]) . NHS
England point out that more boosters have been given since the start ([link removed]) of the programme than at a similar point for the first dose campaign. And the latest from the ONS shows that the age-adjusted risk of deaths involving coronavirus was 32 times greater in unvaccinated people ([link removed]) than in fully vaccinated people. There are still 9,500 patients in hospital with the virus and daily new admissions have been at over 1,000 for each of the last five days. So as both the Health Secretary said yesterday, and Sir Jeremy Farrar noted in his statement resigning from SAGE, the pandemic is far from over ([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

STANDARDS ROW Yesterday parliament voted to put in place a new standards system for MPs. I supported the change (and put my name to the amendment that made it possible). I know some will disagree but I did so after careful thought because I believe the system is wrong, should be changed - and this was a chance to do so. My view is that MPs should set the rules about their behaviour but not sit in judgement on themselves. I therefore believe we should have an independent process overseen by a retired judge including a right of appeal. In doing so neither I - nor parliament - made any judgement about Owen Paterson nor would it be right to do so. In truth there is no popular time to change a system like this but if it is the right thing to do I think we have to get on and do it. It looks like the government has now taken the decision to split wider reform from Owen's case which should help get much needed reforms through on a cross party basis.

COP26 Despite the low expectations there are already some encouraging signs coming out of Glasgow. The deal signed by more than 100 world leaders to end deforestation by 2030 ([link removed]) is genuinely historic news and delivers on one aspect of the government’s cash, coal, cars and trees priority areas for the summit. It is particularly good news that Brazil has signed up to this deal. In addition the news yesterday of the agreement to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 ([link removed]) is another really significant announcement. Officials will now be working hard on other deals over the next 10 days and I expect other deals to be reached. But if you were in any doubt how difficult it will be for us to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees then have a watch of the interview I did with Bill Gates for Policy Exchange which you can see here
([link removed]) . He also gives a positive verdict of the UK’s record on climate change ([link removed]) which he calls exemplary. My articlein the Farnham Herald this week ([link removed]) looks at whether or not we will be able to say COP26 was a success. More than 40 countries have agreed to phase out coal ([link removed]) and it is surely encouraging that the number of countries who have signed up to Net Zero has risen from 30% to 90% during our period responsible for COP.

SAJ’S DEBUT Lots to digest from the Health Secretary’s first appearance in front of the Select Committee ([link removed]) as we covered workforce pressures, social care, mental health and patient safety. I focused my questions on workforce pressures as I am still not convinced there is any kind of workforce plan to go alongside the big ambitions the government has to reduce the backlog. They have, to be fair, put in the cash which in many ways is the hard bit - but without enough doctors and nurses to do the extra work how on earth will it get done? I asked how can we possibly know if we’re recruiting the right number ([link removed]) if the government won’t publish its own internal projections as to how many we will need. I also asked Boris about the same issue
([link removed]) in PMQs because I remain convinced that staffing shortfalls are the biggest risk to tackling the backlog and patient safety at the moment. You can judge whether his answer takes us forward but I have put it on his radar and so it is one step forward.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

SURGERY STORIES Yesterday, I spoke to a lady in Farnham regarding her concerns about over-zealous parking enforcement near her home. The lack of spaces meant her only alternative was to walk a long way home from a dimly lit car park, which she is understandably reluctant to do in the wake of the Sarah Everard case. I said I would raise the issue with the Waverley CEO who is now also CEO of Guildford Council - Guildford has a contract with Waverley to do parking enforcement. I also spoke to a man from Churt, with a heartbreaking story of how delays in his NHS care to sort out his shoulder has led to the damage being potentially permanent. It is a reminder of what I was discussing with Sajid Javid in the Select Committee earlier this week, namely the importance of getting the NHS waiting list down. The national figures say more than 6,000 people have been waiting for more than 2 years, and in this man's case the impact on his life has been devastating. I am going to try to get whatever can be
done on his shoulder, done more quickly.

GRAB-A-JAB Hundreds of walk-in sites across the country are now offering booster vaccines as the NHS ‘Grab-a-Jab’ campaign returns, making it even easier for people who are eligible to get their booster jab. In just over six weeks since the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme began delivering boosters, more than six million people have had their vital booster dose, including those who are clinically vulnerable and work in health and social care. As the programme continues to protect the country against the virus, those who are eligible for a booster dose can now use the NHS online walk-in finder ([link removed]) to find the most convenient site to get their booster without an appointment. Some walk- in centres are also offering vaccinations to 12-15 year olds, and parents should check the ‘Grab-a-Jab’ website ([link removed]) to find their nearest centre (which is updated daily as
new sites open up). Some people are still saying they can’t book their boosters until a week after their six months is up so I am going to look into whether booking could be opened two weeks ahead instead. Parents can also continue to use the national booking service to book their child’s jab, or through the ongoing schools programme.

LLOYDS BANK CLOSURE Sadly, I can confirm that Lloyds bank in Haslemere has now closed, but that alternative banking provisions are available at local post offices. The three closest to town are Haslemere Post Office, Lion Green Post Office and Camelsdale Road Post Office. Post offices can now meet demand for everyday banking services (including deposits and withdrawals), due in part to the government’s commitment to the post office network ([link removed]) , ensuring all communities are within a convenient distance of their nearest post office. I hope to have more news soon about getting a new ATM which I have been pressing Lloyds to help us secure.

SURREY COP26 SUMMIT Last Thursday I took part in the Surrey-wide Virtual COP26 Summit, hosted by neighbouring MP and rising star Claire Coutinho. There was an excellent keynote speech by Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, and other topics discussed included the importance of biodiversity, the move to sustainable travel and local leadership's fight against climate change in which I also participated. If you missed the session but would like to hear more on the topics covered and what is being done locally, clickhere ([link removed]) to access the recording on YouTube.

BONFIRE SEASON The legendary Chiddingfold Bonfire ([link removed]) has been run by locals since 1930, so was sorely missed last year including by the Hunt children! I’m pleased to say that it is back this Saturday, 6th November at 7pm - do remember that staggered road closures begin at 3pm but that there is a bus service which runs from Witley Station to The Catholic Church from 5pm - 9:30pm, every 20 minutes or so. Do share your experience with the #chiddingfoldbonfire and if possible, donate here ([link removed]) as the bonfire committee is a local charity running on the generous donations from our community.

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

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

NET ZERO TRANSPARENCY Also announced at COP26 the government will require most large firms to publish details of how they will hit climate change targets ([link removed]) . This sort of transparency move has improved the diversity of board level appointments and the gender pay gap so is a great step. But surely the key thing is transparency on carbon generated by things we import so we are not just offshoring our emissions.

AND FINALLY I remember searching vainly for the Loch Ness Monster on holiday with my children in Scotland five years ago but Nessie has now been captured and arrested! ([link removed]) ! Sadly it doesn’t solve the long-standing rumours of the existence of the monster as, to continue our COP26 theme, it was arrested at a protest at the conference. So next up, Big Foot to be seized at a Trump rally…..?

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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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