CAROLINE ANSELL MP: Everyone called for the vaccine should go

There are many positives. We have a tremendous community spirit here in Eastbourne and Willingdon and many organisations and individuals are standing ready to help. I am incredibly proud of how our town has responded and I know it will rally again over these next weeks.

It’s not back to square one. There is a big difference from what happened in March last year. We have independently approved vaccines to tackle this virus and local people are receiving them as I write.

We have a vaccination hub at The Beacon and I briefly went there last week to see progress. Around 500 people a day are receiving their jab – many of them the most vulnerable. The NHS is now rapidly scaling up the vaccination programme and the Prime Minister has said the top four priority groups - residents in care homes, over 70s, health and care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable will get it by mid-February.

This is the only way to get the country out of lockdown and return life to as normal as it can be. Already more than 1.3 million people in the UK have got the jab and 23 per cent of over 80s have it and will then be protected from Covid over the coming weeks.

With infection rates so high, this is vital and I would urge absolutely everyone who is called for the vaccine to go and get it with confidence. Until then, we must all play our part in sticking to the lockdown restrictions so that the NHS, which is under grave pressure, can cope this winter and lives are saved.

The government has also again recognised this lockdown will create real hardship in retail, hospitality and leisure businesses forced to close. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced £4.6 billion of new government lockdown support to help. Businesses can apply for one-off grants of up to £9,000 and for Eastbourne and Willingdon, which is so reliant on these sectors, this is good news.

The money is in addition to business rates relief and furlough – both of which have now been extended until the end of April.

Importantly, another £594m is going to councils to help enterprises outside these badly hit sectors who might need extra help. This should ensure that these firms will now be able to access support by contacting the borough council.

As is often the case, the darkest hour is just before the dawn. I believe this is the situation for our country right now and for Sussex. We need to dig deep and I know we will. Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives. Take good care everyone and keep in touch, I stand ready to support you in every way I can.