This week started with preparations for Justice Questions, this is one part of my new role as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Justice. Throughout the day I attended a number of Zoom meetings and Delegated Legislation Committee extending the grace period preventing evictions into next year.
On Tuesday I was in the chamber to support the Lord Chancellor and the MoJ team at Justice Oral Questions and later on took part in a closed session of the Science and Technology Select Committee, rounding off the day with some meetings on zoom.
On Wednesday I took part in a joint session of the Science and Technology and Health and Social Care Select Committees on vaccinations with the Chief Medical Officer. This was an extremely important session, especially given the news this week that our constituency is to be amongst those included in the Government’s new community testing roll-out. I participated in the Westminster Hall debate on Iran and later had a Zoom meeting with UK Ambassador to the US.
On Thursday I had a meeting with CCHQ (Conservative Head Office) in the morning and then an online meeting with Link4Life about the Leisure Recovery Fund which will help to get important local assets going again and plays an important part in their local plan to improve mental and physical health in Heywood and Middleton.
I continue to meet with our North West conservative MP’s this week we were discussing COVID-19 and other issues that affect all our areas across the region.
On Thursday I attended a Westminster Hall debate on the future of the coach industry in my capacity as PPS. This was a particularly prominent debate for me as I have been contacted by local operators and businesses who support and supply them, asking for more support in this sector.
On Friday I caught up with correspondence, writing a few (hundred) Christmas cards and thank you letters. With all the zoom meetings and emails nowadays, I do think it is still nice to use a pen and paper sometimes!
This week, as we move toward the Brexit deadline, I was pleased to see the passing of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act. This is a Bill to make provision to end rights to free movement of persons under retained EU law and to repeal other retained EU law relating to immigration; to confer power to modify retained direct EU legislation relating to social security. Following the agreement by both Houses on the text of the Bill received Royal Assent and has now become law.
We also saw the progression of other related legislation matters including The UK Internal Markets Bill (Lords Amendments) and The Taxation (post-transition period) Bill.
On Saturday, following the public announcement about community testing in our area I had a meeting about rapid testing with Lord Bethell. The news about our inclusion in this roll-out has received a lot of positive feedback. I am pleased that this will give us an opportunity to reduce local infection rates even faster and move towards a reduced tier level sooner.
Although my constituency team is working from home as much as possible, we are still here to answer your concerns and deal with any issues with which you would like support. Please do get in touch if there is anything that I can help you with by emails to [email protected] or by calling 01706 538 262.
