Covid 19 & Vaccinations
I regret to say that an additional 483 cases of Covid 19 have been registered in Sutton Coldfield for the week of 3rd- 9th July compared to an updated figure of 320 for the week of 26th June – 2nd July based on data from Birmingham City Council’s public health division.
I have received an update from Dr Justin Varney, Director of Public Health at Birmingham City Council who has provided further detail to suggest that our locall surge has been primarily in school age children and young adults but there is also some spiking in 40-49yrs which may reflect household clusters. While our vaccination rates locally are generally good, there are still large numbers not vaccinated in the younger age groups and sadly we are seeing an increase in Covid hospital admissions in under 60yr olds at the moment. Along with encouraging everyone to get two vaccinations, the public health team is also asking people to wear a face covering in enclosed poorly ventilated areas and to take regular lateral flow tests particularly for those that are regularly working in close proximity to others.
The 7-day case rate between 3rd July to 9th July in Birmingham was 367.3 cases per 100,000 population, compared to 299 per 100,000 for the period between the 26th June to 2nd July.
Over the 7 days leading up to 10th July, of 24,230 PCR pillar 2 tests, 3,968 (16.4%) were positive in Birmingham, a higher positivity rate than both the West Midlands and England.
Birmingham ranks 13th in the region for pillar 2 PCR tests, with 2,122 tests per 100k population. 66,885 LFD pillar 2 tests were also carried out.
Hospital admissions range between 24 and 40 new cases a day at Birmingham hospital trusts over the 7 days from 3rd to 9th July.
The attached image shows an update of our local vaccination rate by ward.
PLEASE NOTE: Walk-in appointments are taking place at a mass vaccination centres across the Birmingham City Council area. Please check the latest availability via: www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/walk-in you can also continue to book in advance online as normal: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
I welcome the Government’s decision to continue to ease the Covid 19 restrictions in line with our roadmap. It is clear that we will need to learn to live with Covid and as Chris Whitty and others have outlined, continuing the restrictions is unlikely to reduce the number of Covid deaths and could potentially lead to a worse peak in the winter months. I know that some people remain worried about Covid 19 and wish to see some of the measures kept in place. It remains the case that we are recommended to wear face coverings (unless exempt) in crowded public settings. Our testing capabilities will remain in place (indeed this week the UK's new megalab opened in Royal Leamington Spa) to ensure that we can closely monitor case numbers and track any further emerging variants. A review will take place in September to assess how prepared the country is for autumn and winter. Ultimately, I believe that we are now in a position where we should use our own judgement and common sense and I support this approach rather than continuing legal diktat.
Royal Sutton Coldfield updates
Between 24 and 27 May, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission visited Birmingham to decide whether sufficient progress has been made in addressing previous concerns about the Council’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. While sufficient progress has been made in addressing 1 of the significant weaknesses identified at an initial inspection, insufficient progress has been made in addressing 12 further areas. I have received an update from the CQC and Ofsted and I understand that the Leader of Birmingham City Council has spoken to Vicky Ford MP, Minister for Children and Families. I hope to receive a further update next week however it is clear that Birmingham City Council needs to undertake significant work to make improvements to our local SEND provision.
While it remains an incredibly challenging time for our economy there is a glimmer of hope in the latest unemployment figures for Sutton Coldfield which show that the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits fell in June and was 90 fewer than in May. Of those aged 18-24 there were 30 fewer claimants in June than in May. Although the figures are still higher than before the pandemic began, I hope that as our economy begins to rebuild we will see a similar trend over the next few months.
After a recent petition launch in support of subsidised car parking in our Town Centre, and the rally of the business community around the campaign, a 300 strong petition has been presented by Cllr Ewan Mackey to a Birmingham City Council Full Council meeting.
On Tuesday I attended a ‘Careers Live’ event online with pupils from Arthur Terry. I had an opportunity to talk about being an MP and answer questions from the students.
Today I visited Hope Food and spoke to Debbie Middleton at Ark Community Church as well as Lynn Jennings who develops links between the church and the local neighbourhood.
Following an advice session at my office this afternoon, I visited Hill West Primary School and had a chat with Year 5 about their work learning about the rights of children, it was great to see the ways in which the school is engaging their pupils in citizenship and politics at an early age. The school is also about to hear some very good news… watch this space. I then visited Brewhouse and Kitchen to discuss the ongoing challenges facing pubs and restaurants.
Andy Street and the West Midlands Combined Authority have announced funding to extend green skills courses to Birmingham colleges, for unemployed people and those with jobs who are seeking to upskill https://beta.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/productivity-and-skills
Plans have now been submitted for electric battery 'gigafactory' in Coventry, this could be a real boost for our region as the plant could create up to 6,000 jobs. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-57842375
Westminster news and Parliamentary business
It has been a busy week in my diary for All Party Parliamentary Group meetings (or APPGs) these are cross party groups of MPs and Lords that work together on specific subjects or interests. On Monday I attended an online meeting of the Commonwealth Games APPG for an update on tickets and plans for next year’s event. Yesterday I attended the AGM of the APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, I also held meetings this week with groups that I chair including the APPGs on War Crimes and Trafficked Britons in Syria.
On Monday I attended a roundtable event discussing global, equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, treatments and tests. On Tuesday I welcomed the Government bringing a motion to the Commons on our .7 international development budget however it was deeply disappointing to lose the vote. I strongly believe that we should keep our promise to the poorest people in the world and that cutting development spending during a pandemic is entirely the wrong approach. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/boris-defeats-rebellion-over-foreign-21043946
On Wednesday I spoke to the team at Red Cross about the Nationality and Borders Bill which is due to return to the Commons next week. I also had an interesting chat with the Policy and Public affairs team at Channel 4 about the future of the channel. I had hoped to speak in the Second Reading of the Health and Care Bill in the afternoon, however, unfortunately due to the huge number of MPs wishing to speak I was too far down the list and was unable to contribute to the debate.
Yesterday the Prime Minister set out his vision for levelling up the UK with plans to deliver a fairer, stronger society where everyone can access the opportunities they need to succeed in life. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57844084
Earlier in the week the Transport Secretary set out our transport decarbonisation plan which aims to improve air quality, create healthier communities and support tens of thousands of new green jobs. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transport-decarbonisation-plan
A tough ban on a wide range of knives, weapons, and firearms has come into force as part of government action to tackle violent crime and violence. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ban-on-knives-firearms-and-offensive-weapons-comes-into-force
Opportunities and Events
Tesco’s local charitable grants scheme – Tesco Community Grants – is now open for applications from local groups. Every three months community groups and charities across the UK will be able to apply for a grant of up to £1,500 from a pot of £2m. Any charity or community group can apply and Groundwork, an expert community charity who manage the scheme, will be able to advise on eligibility through the application process. www.tesco.com/communitygrants
The GBSLEP Skills Hub is hosting an event on 28th July for businesses which will highlight apprenticeship incentives and explain their Levy Transfer Scheme https://www.gbslepgrowthhub.co.uk/skills-hub/events/apprenticeships-incentives-levy-transfer-and-how-this-will-benefit-you
Severn Trent (a 2022 Commonwealth Games Official Nature and Carbon Neutral Supporter) is launching an exciting opportunity for organisations to express an interest in hosting their very own Tiny Forest. As part of 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy Severn Trent is creating 72 Tiny Forests in urban areas across the West Midlands. Each Tiny Forest (which is the size of a tennis court) will link to one of the nations and territories competing at the Games. To find out more email: forestdelivery@severntrent.co.uk or
see: https://www.stwater.co.uk/legacy-forests/
No one, particularly children, should face bullying alone. The Don't Face It Alone campaign has been launched by the Diana Award:www.DontFaceItAlone.com
British Cycling is holding a variety of events in the West Midlands this summer: https://bit.ly/3wEpdU5 Cycling UK is also holding the Women's Festival of Cycling from 17 July to 1 August: https://www.cyclinguk.org/womensfestival
Age UK have guides to help provide information on how people with dementia and their loved ones can get support, live well, and adapt their homes. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/dementia/getting-care-and-support/ Their free advice line (0800 055 6112) is open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.
HS2 will be taking part in the national Festival of Archaeology, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of archaeology this monthhttps://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/archaeology/foa/
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