This week I was delighted to receive the news that Link4Life, the people who look after art, sports, and culture in our borough have received a massive funding boost from the Government's £1.57bn Arts and Culture Fund. The group placed their bid earlier this year, which I have been pleased to support and I was delighted to hear that they have been awarded the full amount that they asked for - £666,457. This money will help to support venues in our constituency like the Middleton Arena and Heywood Civic Centre. It will also support the continuation of the important work that is done at Touchstones in Rochdale.
I have had a virtual meeting with the HS2 Minister to talk about securing jobs and contracts in Greater Manchester. We need to ensure that businesses and people here benefit from major national infrastructure projects like this, securing employment for local people.
I was pleased to welcome the introduction of the Veterans Rail Card this week. This new Government initiative is aimed at supporting veterans after their service, the card will provide up to a third off all peak and off-peak fares, as well as discounted travel for adult companions and children. It also forms part of the Government’s commitment to make the country the best place to be a veteran.
I was also very pleased to be invited to join the Save Bamford Greenbelt Group's AGM this week, where I spoke with members about how Andy Burnham's Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) was still planning to build 450 homes in the Bamford greenbelt, and what can be done to prevent the destruction of this beautiful green space.
I was finally allowed out of self-isolation this week, so on Thursday morning, I was able to get back to the office and catch up with my constituency team in person. It's great to be out and about again but the time has given me a reminder of the real effort that people are making here to observe the rules. Self-isolation certainly isn't easy so I want to reiterate my thanks to the people who are doing the right thing all over the constituency. Your effort really is helping to keep the spread of the virus down and protect others and our NHS.
There has obviously been a lot of discussions this week about the new covid alert system tiers and the level at which we, as part of Greater Manchester, should be placed. I and my GM colleagues have spent many hours in serious talks with Ministers and the Prime Minister himself about this extremely important matter for our constituency and region. Today I have written to the Labours Mayor of Greater Manchester about this matter and you can read that letter here: https://www.chrisclarkson.org.uk/news/north-west-conservative-mps-will-not-support-burnhams-total-lockdown-policy
