MP COLUMN
views from
Richard Fuller, MP for North East Bedfordshire
We are mid-way through the most extensive vaccination programme in our history; and one being done at speed in our efforts to overcome the spread of the virus and reclaim our freedoms.
By mid-February, the NHS will have completed the task of giving the first dose of a Covid vaccine to over 13 million people in the four most vulnerable groups: older care home residents and staff, everyone over 70, all frontline NHS and care staff, and the clinically extremely vulnerable. After a stuttering start to the rollout in Bedfordshire, when I had to have some sharp conversations with our local NHS and the Minister, steady progress has been made and increasing numbers of vaccination centres have been opened making it easier for those who take up the vaccine. If all goes well and these groups have had time to build some immunity - and with everyone else playing their part, using their common sense, following the guidance and helping relieve pressure on our hospitals - the worst of this nightmare can be behind us. Amen. As your Member of Parliament, when the new variant began to escalate Covid infection rates, I had to weigh up the immediate risk to public health from the pressure on our local hospitals. In my view, the further restrictions we have been enduring will provide our local hospitals with
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more time to manage higher levels of admissions, including to critical care beds. These restrictions, and those introduced since November, have caused substantial economic harm, reduced educational attainment and separated families when they would most want to be together. To support people and businesses through this time, the Chancellor announced a range of further support for business, including extending the furlough scheme, providing certainty for millions of jobs and businesses ahead of the Budget on 3 March. I continue to lobby the Chancellor to extend support to the owner-directors of our small businesses who have not received any financial support this year. I also want to see measures in the budget to support our pubs and restaurants including cuts in beer duty, an extension of lower VAT rates and crucially, a further extension of business rates relief or outright reform in favour of a digital sales tax, This country is not responsible for the emergence of this more contagious variant of Covid but this country has a responsibility to contain it. This country has been responsible for being a leader in funding the development of vaccine research, obtaining regulatory approvals and making a fast start on mass vaccinations. The challenge now is to complete this programme effectively, swiftly and safely enabling this long, dark period in our history to come to an end.
