Although we now have the new Royal Sutton Coldfield Chronicle, which has made a brilliant start, I am intending to continue with my weekly messages. If you know of anyone who might like to receive a copy, they can sign up here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/bhE9MGy/AndrewMitchellNewsletter
Covid 19 & Vaccinations
An additional 11 cases of Covid 19 have been registered in Sutton Coldfield for the week of 30th April- 6th May compared to an updated figure of 10 for the week of 23rd-29th April based on data from Birmingham City Council’s public health division.
The 7-day case rate between 1st- 7th May in Birmingham was 16.4 cases/100K population, compared to 18.2/100K for the period between the 24th- 30th April.
Over the 7 days leading up to 8th May, of 14,395 PCR pillar 2 tests, 106 (0.7%) were positive in Birmingham, consistent with the West Midlands average (0.7%) and lower than the England average of 1.0%.
Birmingham ranks 13th in the region for pillar 2 PCR tests, with 1,261 tests per 100k population. 62,300 lateral flow tests (LFT pillar 2 tests) were also carried out.
Hospital admissions range between 0 and 4 new cases a day at University Hospitals Birmingham Trust over the 7 days from 1st- 7th May.
The attached image shows an overview of vaccinations across different wards in Sutton Coldfield, based on the data that was available on Tuesday. Dr Dubb has informed me today that our latest figures from the Town Hall show that the team has administered 62,500 vaccinations of which 24,000 are second doses. Of all the eligible groups we have a 90-95% coverage except 40-50 year olds which are around 80% so far. Those aged 38 and over can now book for their first jab.
On Monday the rules and restrictions will ease in line with our roadmap. A full list of the all the changes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#how-the-rules-will-change-on-17-may
Royal Sutton Coldfield updates
This morning I visited Mere Green Primary school and spoke to Year 5 during their assembly as well as having a useful catchup with Mr Boyd the Deputy Head.
Andrew Mitchelll vistis Mere Green Primary School
I also very much enjoyed my visit to the Farmhouse Bistro at the Mitchell Centre on Weeford Road at lunchtime to speak to Ross who owns and manages the restaurant. It has been an incredibly challenging year for our local hospitality businesses. I hope that the easing of the restrictions on Monday will mean that many of us will be able to return to our favourite local cafes, restaurants and pubs. We are lucky in the Royal Town to have such a variety of brilliant local hospitality businesses.
This afternoon I went to Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club and spoke to their Chairman Jeffery Fletcher about the club’s plans as the Covid restrictions ease.
Andrew Mitchell MP visits Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club
An online Community Hub has been set up for Birmingham City Council residents to find a wealth of information and support including details of community support networks and debt advice https://learnbaes.ac.uk/community-hub
Birmingham City Council is running a consultation on their “Triple Zero City Strategy” approach to tackling drug and alcohol addiction. https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/people-1/triple-zero-city-strategy/
HS2 Ltd has announced that Mace and Dragados will build Birmingham’s new high speed railway station at Curzon Street. The deal will see Mace and Dragados work with HS2 to finalise the detailed design and then build the landmark station. The station will be net zero carbon in operation and will adopt the latest eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies, including capturing rainwater and utilising sustainable power generation, with over 2,800m2 of solar panels located on platform canopies.
Thank you to everyone across the Royal Town who has supported Christian Aid week. Last year Suttonians raised £20,061.28 for the charity. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
Westminster news and Parliamentary business
On Tuesday the State Opening of Parliament took place, a slightly more muted occasion than in previous years as a result of Covid 19 restrictions. The Queen’s Speech sets out the government’s policies and proposed legislative programme for the new parliamentary session. The Speech contained a number of new pledges that I know will be welcome in the Royal Town including a focus on mental health and a plan to secure jobs and investment as we support economic recovery after Covid 19. A full list of the announcements can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/985029/Queen_s_Speech_2021_-_Background_Briefing_Notes..pdf
On Wednesday I spoke in the debate following the Prime Minister’s statement on Covid 19: https://www.andrew-mitchell-mp.co.uk/parliament/covid-19-andrew-mitchell-calls-more-emphasis-personal-judgment-normality-returns
I also outlined in my contribution on the Queen’s Speech four aspects which I know are of considerable importance to my constituents. I started with the importance of funding our local regeneration plans as well as the need to make key decisions about the future of social care, preferably on an all-party basis. I made clear that our plans for the Royal Sutton Coldfield Cottage Hospital need to mesh in with the wider national plan in this area. As you would expect, I made my concerns clear about the failure to stand by our promise to the poorest people in the world and finally, I spoke about assisted dying and the need in my view to change the law. You can see the 5 minute speech here if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F26HA4JBdW4
This week I spoke to Susan Hawley, Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption, and I also held a Zoom with members of Bite Back 2030 (a youth-led campaign for a fairer food system currently campaigning on the issue of junk food advertising online) led most ably by Zoe Fryer from Bishop Walsh school. I also held further meetings relating to my work co-chairing the All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on War Crimes and Trafficked Britons in Syria. I also attended a meeting of the APPG on Iran and the APPG on Dying Well.
On Saturday the Government announced a Pet Theft taskforce to investigate the reported rise in pet theft since the beginning of lockdown. The taskforce will chaired by the Lord Chancellor and be made up of government officials from Defra, the Home Office and Ministry of Justice as well as operational partners such as the Police. The week we have also launched our Action Plan for Animal Welfare https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-lead-the-way-on-animal-welfare-through-flagship-new-action-plan. I strongly support both these initiatives and I am involved with colleagues in support of them.
The Government backed Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has launched a scheme to help people in mental health crisis avoid worsening debt problems. MaPS is investing £2.4 million in a pilot which joins up the mental health sector with debt advice services, to refer people in crisis for a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. Under the Breathing Space scheme, which launched on 4 May, people with problem debt will be given legal protections from creditors chasing them for payments and a freeze on most interest and charges on their debts for up to 60 days.
Opportunities and Events
The West Midlands Combined Authority is hosting a series of virtual ‘job fairs’, their next webinar – ‘Your Career in the Commonwealth Games 2022’ will take place on Thursday 20th May, from 1 to 2:30PM. https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/878035215877281038
If you have a business or a start-up idea focused on circular packaging, smart agriculture, water stewardship, climate action or upcycling, then Budweiser Brewing Group’s 100 Accelerator programme might be of interest. Successful entrants could win funding and access to a global network of mentors and entrepreneurs. https://100accelerator.com
The team at the Page Turner Awards is inviting creative writers to join their community and get involved in the Page Turner Awards 2021. If you've already written a manuscript or published a book and would like to reach a wider audience, the awards offer the opportunity to win a publishing deal or an audiobook production. https://pageturnerawards.com
The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual celebration to give thanks and get to know our neighbours and local communities. The Big Lunch has teamed up with good causes across the UK for a “Month of Community” including Thank You Day on 4 July. www.thebiglunch.com
This week is Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week. Diabetes UK is working with NHS England and Public Health England to encourage people to use their “Know Your Risk” tool, to understand the risk of developing type 2 diabetes https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start
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Eid Mubarak to all those that are celebrating across the Royal Town
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As your MP I am here to help. If you feel I can assist with any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing me on andrew.mitchell.mp@parliament.uk
My weekly updates are available via email: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/bhE9MGy/AndrewMitchellNewsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewmitchellmp and my website: https://www.andrew-mitchell-mp.co.uk/news.