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

Welcome to my November 2021 newsletter.

This morning, I marked the start of construction of the new Heathside Walton-on-Thames school. This important milestone is great news for the local community and will ease pressure on school places across Elmbridge.

In other local news this month, it was an honour to attend a service at Christ Church Esher on Remembrance Sunday, and to lay a wreath at the Esher war memorial. I’ve also been visiting local schools and meeting residents through drop-in surgeries in Hersham and Esher.

On the national side, it’s welcome news that over 16.7 million people have now received a booster or third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. I urge all residents to get a booster when they can – there’s information on how to do so below.

I will be taking a short break over Christmas and the New Year, so the next newsletter will be at the end of January. As always, you can contact me with any issues or concerns at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Best wishes,
Local Matters

Marking the start of construction of Heathside Walton-on-Thames school

Earlier today, I marked ([link removed]) the start of construction of the new Heathside Walton-on-Thames school. This will be an excellent new secondary school for children in Walton and Molesey, serving children in that area and easing the pressure on school places right across the borough.

Well done to Anne Cullum and her team for reaching this milestone – and I look forward to the school opening next year!

Elsewhere this month:
* On Remembrance Day, I reflected ([link removed]) on the huge sacrifices made by so many to preserve this country’s democracy, our freedoms and our way of life. Later in the week, on Remembrance Sunday, Ijoined ([link removed]) the local community at Esher war memorial for a poignant service led by Reverend Darren McCallig, after a separate service at Christ Church Esher.

* I was out and about across the constituency, meeting residents and listening to their thoughts and concerns. I held successful drop-in surgeries at Squire’s in Hersham ([link removed]) and Costa in Esher, and met early morning commuters at Walton Station ([link removed]) . I also held a well-attended Q&A session ([link removed]) on Facebook last Friday.

* I paid visits to Long Ditton Infant and Nursery School ([link removed]) and Ashley Church of England Primary School ([link removed]) – reading with the children, speaking to them about what it means to be an MP and answering their insightful questions. These visits were also valuable opportunities to catch up with the teachers and thank them for their efforts to keep learning going through the lockdowns.

* Together with Councillor Steve Bax, I dropped in on local businesses in East Molesey, including Hopscotch and Are You Fleur Real? It was great to hear from retailers about how they’re bouncing back from the pandemic, and to discuss the new support ([link removed]) for businesses announced in the Budget last month.

Elmbridge vaccination update:

108,074 residents have received 1 dose

98,534 residents have received 2 doses

(As of 25 November)
Westminster Watch

Welcoming the new Lord Mayor of London

In my role as Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary this month, it was a pleasure to welcome the new Lord Mayor of London at a ceremony in the City (pictured above).

With a trail-blazing career in law and finance and a passion for the arts, Vincent Keaveny will help London and Global Britain to build back better from the pandemic.

In other news this month:
* I announced ([link removed]) Harper’s Law – which will mean mandatory life sentences for those who kill on-duty emergency workers – and explained ([link removed]) why we’re taking this step in the Daily Mail. I pay tribute to Lissie Harper’s determination to change the law, after her husband PC Andrew Harper was killed in the line of duty in 2019.

* I took part in the topping out ceremony ([link removed]) for a new prison at Glen Parva in Leicestershire, which will create 1,700 new prison places. This is part of the most ambitious prison building programme in a hundred years, which will create 20,000 extra places by the mid-2020s.

* I presided ([link removed]) over the QC appointments ceremony, where barristers and solicitors who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise are recognised by being appointed as Queen’s Counsel. The ceremony also appointed Honorary Queen’s Counsel, who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside of practice in the courts.

State of the Nation

Receiving a Covid jab earlier this year

On the national side this month, it’s great news that over 16.7 million people have now received a booster or third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Those aged 40-49 can now book their booster online (if eligible) – as can 16–17-year-olds for their second dose.

Getting your booster or second dose will protect the progress we’ve made through the vaccination programme so far, ensuring that we can enjoy Christmas safely. You can check the eligibility criteria and book an appointment here ([link removed]) .

In other national news:
* We galvanised international action ([link removed]) to combat climate change at the COP26 Summit, keeping 1.5 degrees alive and making important progress on coal, cars, cash, and trees. It’s very positive news that 90% of the world’s economy is now committed to net zero, up from 30% when the UK took on the COP presidency in 2019.

* The government launched a new export strategy ([link removed]) – Made in the UK, Sold to the World – with a 12-point plan to help UK businesses hit £1 trillion in exports.

* A new criminal offence ([link removed]) will crack down on dog theft, putting people who steal much-loved pets behind bars for up to five years. There will also be a provision in the legislation to extend the offence to other pets in the future, should the evidence support this.

* We saw some key votes of confidence in the UK economy – including AstraZeneca unveiling ([link removed]) its new global R&D facility in Cambridge, and Shell announcing ([link removed]) plans to move its headquarters to the UK.

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