Along with schools returning, more people going back to offices and other workplaces (including those using the restarted West Lynn ferry service), Parliament was back in session this week too. Many essential workers continued going into their workplace throughout the pandemic and, provided measures are in place to be Covid-19 secure, we should do the same if we can. However, the Banham factory outbreak reminds us of the need to play our part in controlling the virus by washing our hands thoroughly, observing social distancing, and following other rules. 

Clearly a vaccine is needed ultimately for Covid-19 but ahead of that testing, along with social distancing and other measures, is key to helping us continue the move back to some form of normality. That’s why I welcome the new £500 million funding package for quick testing and expanding testing capacity that has been announced. Trials will be expanded using new saliva based tests that can provide results in 20 minutes. By quickly showing who has and doesn’t have the virus, these tests have the potential to help us get back to a more normal way of life. 

The new Kick Start scheme to create jobs for young people launched this week. This ambitious and much needed programme will fund six-month work placements for 16-to-24-year-old on universal credit. As well as funding employment costs, there is also support available for training Kickstarters.  I encourage all local employers across North West Norfolk to look at the details of the scheme at the link below and see if you can participate.

As a MP I regularly receive campaign materials from groups including a mock HS2 board game, a more useful calendar from the Guide Dogs for the Blind, and various mugs. Most campaigns try and come up with a catchy slogan. My favourite this week is “The Time is Meow” from the Cats Protection League in support of compulsory micro chipping of cats as is already the case for dogs. As a cat lover they picked the purrfect MP to lobby!

Please do get in touch if I can be of assistance.

Best wishes,