MPs’ Round-Up

MPs’ round-up Bill to curb pollution is truely a breath of fresh air

Since lockdowns first began, snatching a breath of fresh air in the Somerset countryside has become a glorious escape. A moment to reconnect with the real world. Yet for many less fortunate than us, that lungful of air isn’t so fresh. Astonishingly, air pollution is now the leading environmental threat to human health in the UK. Cleaning it up is an imperative, and we now have that opportunity through the new Environment Bill. The Government’s Clean Air Strategy was described by the World Health Organisation as ‘an example for the rest of the world to follow’, and the strategy indeed took the world by the hand to lead by example: from making sure new wood-burning stoves are cleaner and more efficient, to supporting farmers to use low-emission equipment. But, as we learn more about the impact of air pollution on our health, it’s clear the job isn’t done. Dirty air causes between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths every year, and last year the inquest into the death of nine-year-old Ella KissiDebrah ruled that toxic air from traffic was a cause of death, the first such ruling in the UK. If current levels persist, we’re estimated to see 2.5 million new cases of related health conditions such as asthma, strokes and heart disease. UNICEF calculates that one in three children in the UK are currently growing up exposed to illegal levels of pollutants. And as well as the harm to individuals, the wider effect on public services and the economy is staggering. In total, air pollution is estimated to cause six million sick days each year and has a total social cost of £22.6 billion. Little wonder that two thirds of the public say they’re unwilling to return to prelockdown levels of pollution, having recently inhaled something noticeably cleaner. The landmark Environment Bill, which I hope will pass into law early in this new parliamentary session, will place the environment at the centre of decision making across government. An indispensable part of the bill focusses on setting an ambitious, legally-binding target to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the most harmful type of air pollution. Now I’m urging the Government to even further, and to act on the recommendation of the coroner following the inquest into the Ella Kissi-Debrah’s death, by enhancing the Bill to enshrine in legislation the World Health Organisation’s current guideline limits on PM2.5. in line with the campaign by the Chair of the Defra Select Committee, Neil Parish MP. Make no mistake, this isn’t just about breathing in noticeably cleaner air. The health benefits from hitting that WHO target would be worth £6.8 billion per year. And that’s without considering the costs to the NHS and social care system from air pollution-related illnesses which we could avoid. 0I hope the Government builds on its global environmental leadership and paves the way to us all – not just those lucky enough to be here in Somerset - being free to truly enjoy our green spaces. In pure fresh air.

Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton

Our covid heroes need to be recognised

As a local MP and in the course of my small part in the vaccine roll out, I have witnessed first-hand some of the heroic efforts played by volunteers and key workers. I’m therefore rolling out a scheme of my own to recognise and thank those who have acted as Covid Heroes over the last year. We all want to move on from the events of the last year and achieve a ‘new normal’. However, it’s right to recognise those in our communities who went the extra mile. They embody the local and national ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ spirit which has been key in keeping communities together during Britain’s largest peace time crisis. I’m inviting constituents to nominate volunteers, key workers, businesses, schools or other local organisations for activities which might include helping the vulnerable by delivering food, medicines, and other essential goods to those unable to travel to shops; or providing support to the lonely and isolating. It could involve helping young people through the provision of online schooling, tutoring, or extracurricular activities while school premises were closed. It might mean keeping spirits up through community activities, lockdown quizzes or creative social event or adapting to the challenges of lockdown and the changes in demand for goods and services - pubs doing takeaways or deliveries for example. If you live in South West Wiltshire or would like to nominate an individual or organisation based in the area for my Covid Heroes certificate of appreciation, please visit the ‘campaigns’ section of my website (www.andrewmurrison.co.uk /campaigns). It will only take a few minutes to submit your nomination. Back in the House, I got in early in the debate on the Queen’s Speech. I loath contributing online so attended in person. I raised social care, thrown into sharp relief by the crisis. I feel strongly that we need to end this parliamentary session with a concrete plan for adult social care that will end the appalling care lottery that has been a consequence of separating health and social care in the 1940s.

MP for South West Wiltshire Dr Andrew Murrison

MPs’ round-up Jabs, pubs, free trade deals and Mrs Fluffles

For this week’s article I thought I might provide some headlines or snippets presented as bullet points rather than a focused article. The roll-out of the vaccine is phenomenal providing as it does protection and a sense of security for those who are having it. While my inbox was never inundated, those opposed to vaccinations have reduced in number to the point of invisibility. Perhaps this is as a result of the take-up numbers and the tumbling rates of infection i.e. the proof of the pudding being in the eating; n Talking to local retailers and those involved in the hospitality sector things are definitely looking up and all of our towns seem busier than they were pre-covid, especially in the midweek period. This is extremely encouraging as we all know the vitality of our market towns is so important to making North Dorset such a special place in which to live and work; n I am a champion of the mission statement of the BBC to be an independent, quality, public service broadcaster. The addition to our soft power overseas that the World Service represents is incalculable. Yet the BBC is going through another of its tortuous internal navel-gazing exercises. The organisation needs to learn and modernise – and swiftly if it is to withstand growing calls to commercialise the broadcaster; n There’s been lots of talk in the media regarding a free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand. My first task with regard to any proposals is to ask a simple question: is it good for North Dorset? Too often the debate freezes itself between the poles of Free Trader v Protectionist. The benefits of international trade are tangible –it creates jobs and has the potential to raise living standards. I am not a laissez faire free trader nor a protectionist. I believe in responsible trade where checks, balances and review mechanisms are carved into agreements. I have yet to be persuaded that a tariff-free option on meat is good news for UK farmers or for the campaign for high animal welfare standards that we, rightly, believe to be important in the UK and should provide the basis for us to give real global leadership. I shall continue to monitor the situation as it evolves but those who know me know where my instincts lie. n On the subject of farming we have been bottle-rearing a few lambs for a friend. Yes, we have made the mistake of naming them. Sheep, as anyone knows, are depressives always looking for an opportunity to die and often in the strangest ways. Mrs Fluffles was one such lamb. We were having none of it. Some tough talking was issued. Milk drop by drop dispensed, vitamin block fed by nail tip. Three weeks later and Mrs Fluffles is gambolling around without a care in the world (I have yet to ask her her views on the Australian Free Trade Deal). As with so much in life: perseverance has paid off.

MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare

BAACK FROM THE BRINK: Mrs Fluffles

I’m campaigning to get our Saturday Special back

Last week, the Government announced the creation of Great British Railways. As someone who started my working life on the railway between Salisbury and Exeter at the beginning of a 20-year career in the rail industry before election, I believe this initiative will properly sort out rail operations, end the fragmented rail network which the European Union required, and has the potential to hugely improve the value that railways can provide to the public. Railway improvements in West Dorset continue to be high up my agenda and some of you may remember when I introduced the summer Saturday train to Weymouth several years ago when I worked for the railway. I’m appalled at South Western Railway’s decision to Weymouth station with fellow MPs and railway executives to get Weymouth and Dorchester South stations smartened up akin to what I achieved for Sherborne Station last year. Great progress has already been made at Dorchester West along with Thornford, Yetminster and Chetnole stations, so only Dorchester South to go before all of the West Dorset railway stations will be smartened up! n On Thursday for the first time for 14 months, I heard the rejoicing church bells of Westminster Abbey ring from my office. As a bellringer myself, I love to hear that wonderful sound of bells. The Tower Captain of Sherborne Abbey tells me that they have started again this last Sunday as are many other churches. If you

MP for West Dorset Chris Loder

stop running it and I have made it clear that we want that service back because it offers such a great day out for people from Gillingham, Templecombe and Sherborne to Weymouth. On the subject of railways, I held a rail summit last month at ring too and are ever in need of a bell-ringer, I’m always happy to help if you’re short! Churches should also be reopening now, but I know many are feeling that coronavirus has driven a distance between us and our church life. Some tell me they feel bereft. But I hope we will be able to move forward and replenish our social and spiritual hubs. n And finally, my campaign to improve our roads and road safety across West Dorset continues. Particularly focussing on ‘cats-eyes’, white lines and signage to reduce accidents. I started my A-Roads Taskforce a few weeks ago and we’re looking as the speeding on the A30 between Yeovil and Sherborne and the A35 first.