With the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of lockdown now in action, there is a feeling of optimism in the air which reflects the bright spring weather we had over the weekend. The Joint Biosecurity Centre has agreed that the UK alert level should move from level 5 to level 4 in all four nations this week – proving that national restrictions are working in bringing infections down and that we are making progress.
It’s too early to let down our guard yet, so social distancing, hand-washing and masks are still the order of the day. But as the Gazette goes to press we are on course to have all children back in school on 8 March and for some further easements to take place on 29 March. I’d like to thank all those living in the CM13 area who, after a case of the South African variant of the virus was found in the area, have been flocking to the mobile test centres to be tested. I appreciate it has been yet another thing you have been asked to do, but it has been heartening to see so many people taking part.
In Westminster, the big story of the week is the Chancellor’s Budget – interesting news in any year, but particularly so in this year and the country plans to exit lockdown and rebuild the economy. By the time you read this Rishi Sunak will, most likely, have already made his statement to the House. The Chancellor has already done a great deal to protect the country from the worst economic excesses of the pandemic and I know will continue to put jobs and businesses at the heart of what he does.
I have been talking to local wedding venues, pubs and students in my weekly surgeries and online ‘visits’ about how they have been affected, and what they need to get going again. Having heard their concerns, it is good to see reports that the Chancellor plans £5 billion in Restart Grants for the high street shops and hospitality firms which have been among the hardest-hit businesses. Under the scheme, non-essential retail businesses will get up to £6,000 per premise to help them reopen and start trading safely. Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses in England – which will open later under the roadmap or will be more impacted by restrictions when they do open – will get up to £18,000 per premise.
Ultimately, the best thing for the country as we emerge from lockdown will be a thriving private sector economy with high employment and growing wages which can provide the tax base for our public services. This is the recovery we will build in the year ahead.