Orwell Bridge Update
Covid Survey Results
As you will have noticed I’ve been carrying out a number of surveys over the past month or so and I wanted to share the results of the latest survey. Like the last survey around 1,000 Ipswich residents took part and though I would hardly describe the survey as scientific, its still useful to get a bit of a snapshot of what my constituents are thinking regarding some of the key issues of the day. I shared the survey on my social media platforms and promoted to all those living in the Town and encouraged them to take part.
Here are the results:
- Do you agree with the Prime Minister’s plan to start the phased reopening of schools on 8th March?
- No, 8th March is too early to start reopening: 42%
- Yes, I agree with the plan: 48%
- Schools should reopen now: 10%
- Should all teaching staff be prioritised for the vaccine?
- Yes: 77%
- No: 23%
- Do you believe that any other key workers should be prioritised for the vaccine?
- All key workers should be: 70%
- Police: 17%
- Retail workers: 3%
- Do you believe University students should have to pay full tuition fees for the academic year 2020-2021?
- Partial refund: 70%
- Full refund: 21%
- Full fees: 9%
- Have you been satisfied with the vaccine roll out?
- Yes: 77%
- No: 12%
- Don’t know: 11%
- Do you believe that the temporary increase in Universal Credit should be extended beyond March?
- It should be extended for as long as the pandemic goes on for: 57%
- The increase should be made permanent: 21%
- No: 22%
I have to say that mostly these results correspond with my position on the key issues. I support the temporary extension of the Universal Credit increase beyond March but I’m wary about making it permanent. It’s clear at the moment many people are having to turn to the welfare state often for the first time in their lives due to the economic disruption caused by the pandemic and the support should be there for them. I also know that the effects of this pandemic will extend even beyond the current lockdowns and so I believe that adequate support should exist to keep everyone on their feet until the economy has fully recovered. However I also think that it would be wrong to commit to making the uplift permanent at this stage when we are still assessing what the impact of the pandemic will be on our public finances in the medium to long term.
I have to say, I also largely agree with the majority on the plan to reopen schools. Most people believe that schools should reopen on the 8th March. Any later than that, and I fear that our children will fall too far behind. Especially those with special educational needs who need in-person learning. Not only am I concerned for pupil’s level of attainment, but also their mental health. We need to get students back to school as soon as it is safe to do so.
The fact of the matter is that if all key workers are prioritised, I do fear that we would end up taking away vaccines from those most vulnerable to the virus, due to the sheer number of key workers that there are across the country. It is for this reason that I think we should keep the exception only for teachers. The huge societal importance of getting our schools fully open again asap as well as the exposure of teaching staff to the virus mean that there is a special case prioritisation, in my view.
In terms of university tuition fees, I have made the point before that I really do think students should not be paying full fees while they are unable to use the facilities and do not have access to the full university education that they would otherwise have had outside this pandemic. It is not fair on them at all. I am glad to see that the overwhelming majority of respondents agreed with this position.
Finally, I’m not surprised that the overwhelming majority of participants in the survey have been impressed with the vaccine roll out. Huge thank you to all those NHS workers and volunteers who have made this possible at the local level. We will never forget.
LOCKDOWN SURVEY
I appreciate that pandemic has been difficult for all this year, particularly those who are vulnerable and have been shielding for many months now. I know that many people have had their livelihoods badly affected and my thoughts are with those who has lost loved ones.
I’m putting out this survey which I hope you will make the most of, because I want to make sure I am best representing the views of my constituents with regards to lockdown measures, thoughts about vaccination priorities and people’s livelihoods.
The survey is very short and it would be great to get some responses which I can look over.
IPSWICH HOSPITALITY SECTOR
Amongst other things the Chancellor stated this afternoon that he’s keen to visit the California Social Club once the pandemic is over!
This followed a question I raised in the House of Commons Chamber today about the Ipswich Hospitality. I informed him of the virtual roundtable event I held with the hospitality sector in Ipswich last month. It was a very sobering meeting and I was very sad to hear about the extreme anxiety many feel about the businesses many have poured their whole lives into.
While I welcomed the grant support that the Chancellor announced last week I pointed out that a number of publicans and restaurant owner still fear for the future of their establishments.
I sought assurances from the Chancellor that he would be reflecting on what further support might be provided ahead of the budget specifically regarding the potential extension of the business rates holiday throughout 2021 and also an extension of the support on VAT.
There is light at the end of the tunnel! But when we end up in that better place I want to make sure that all our great pubs, restaurants and social clubs are still with us.
The Chancellor recognised that I seek to champion Ipswich’s fantastic hospitality industry and assured me that he would bare in mind those suggestions on how the Government can look at providing further support. He understands that our hospitality industry is vital for our local communities, employing over two million people nationally and that they have borne the brunt of these restrictions and so deserve our support as we emerge on the other side.
Grassroots Sports Clubs
Today I asked the Prime Minister a question about the importance of grassroots sports clubs in Ipswich, particularly boxing clubs and the support they will get. In the summer I visited Patrick’s Boxing Club which got help in the first lockdown but, like others, is struggling at the moment with fixed costs such as rent and utility bills. I also mentioned Unity FC and the Ipswich Kickboxing Academy as well which has a fantastic ‘jab not stab’ scheme which helps combat crime and antisocial behaviour.
I sought assurances that when he considers further support for these crucial clubs which are based in some of the most deprived parts of our town, that he will take into account not just the benefits for physical and mental health but also the key role which they play to keep kids on the straight and narrow, to keep them out of harm and trouble which makes such a fantastic contribution to our town.
The Prime Minister assured me that the Government would be supporting these clubs with an extra £210 million of funding to help wonderful community institutions such as Ipswich Kickboxing Academy through this pandemic. He also reminded me that Ipswich will be benefitting not just from kickboxing jabs but from vaccination jabs as well to help us get through this crisis faster.
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN AND CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS
Light Up Ipswich
After such a difficult year I thought we were all in need of some Christmas cheer. So I’m running a ‘Light Up Ipswich’ competition to encourage us all to get our lights and decorations out and up for everyone to enjoy.
I would love as many streets as possible to get involved and I will personally be visiting all of the nominations to judge the best decorated street. I can’t wait to visit all of the entries and see the Town lit up in its festive glory.
Closing Date Friday 18th December
ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON ORWELL BRIDGE CLOSURES
ORWELL BRIDGE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
I was pleased to be notified today that I have secured a special debate in the House of Commons Chamber on closures of the Orwell Bridge. It will take place next Thursday. This is the second time I will have led an adjournment debate since I was elected, the first one was orthopaedic services at Ipswich Hospital.
I hope this time holding the debate leads to a more positive outcome! I’m determined to keep this issue at the top of the agenda until Highways England implement the recommendations from their report and we know that having done so will mean that frequent closures of the bridge are a thing of the past. A Government Transport Minister will be present at the debate.
Post Lockdown Debate
I spoke yesterday about the need for certainty as soon as possible across a number of key areas. I was able to relay to the Minister some of the concerns that were raised with me last Friday by year 10 and 11 pupils at Stoke High School about how they will be assessed this year, I was also able to raise the concerns that have been communicated to me by the retail and hospitality sectors in Ipswich.
This also follows a letter I received yesterday from Ipswich Central. Ahead of the 2nd December (end of national lockdown) they need certainty asap about what things will look like after this date. They need to be able to plan now and every day of extra planning matters and will make a huge difference in determining whether or not they will be able to make up some of the lost ground they are experiencing this month.
The Government should soon be outlining what the plan is post 2nd December soon and though I’m confident this will not involve an extension of the national lockdown, we need to know asap what any new locally tiered system will look like and where Ipswich will end up.