Covid-19
Yesterday the final Plan B measures were lifted in England, restoring more freedoms and marking the start of the next chapter in our fight against Covid-19.
The tireless efforts of NHS and care staff, the army of volunteers and the response of the British public who have come forward to get boosted have allowed us to re-open our society and restore more freedoms.
It is no longer mandatory to wear face coverings in indoor venues and organisations are able to choose whether or not to require NHS Covid Passes as we cautiously return to Plan A.
From Monday, Covid restrictions on adult social care will be eased in England from the There will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed at care homes, self-isolation periods will be cut and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, not 28. The change is the latest rolling back of Plan B curbs in England allowing people to see their loved ones.
As we learn to live with Covid we need to be clear eyed that this virus is not going away so if you haven’t already, please come forward for your first, second or booster jab.
Key Points from Birmingham City Council
- Vaccination uptake for all ages 12+ is currently 67.1% for 1st dose, 60.6% for 2nd dose in Birmingham residents, and 40.0% for booster dose.
- Of the 69 wards, 25 have achieved the national target of 75%+ vaccine uptake for 1st dose and 10 have achieved this for 2nd dose. Around 356,927 individuals have not received any vaccine (representing 32.9% of the eligible population. The majority of the unvaccinated (85%) are aged under 50 years.
- In the 7 days up to 20th January, 11,553 cases were reported in Birmingham (1,013 cases/100k population), a decrease of 11.7% compared to 13,084 cases (1,147.2/100k population) in the previous week.
- Birmingham’s case rate is ranked 53rd in England (out of 149 upper tier local authorities), with Peterborough the highest (1665.0/100k population) and Isle of Wight the lowest (621.2/100k population).
In the Constituency
Last night, after taking part in the Holocaust Memorial Day debate in the House of Commons, I drove back to the Royal Town in time to light my candle in the window at 8pm in memory of the millions who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi persecution, and the millions more murdered in genocides that followed in Rwanda, Cambodia, Darfur and Bosnia. Never forget.
Romulus FC
My day started with a visit to Romulus FC off Lindridge Road in the Royal Town and meeting with Richard Evans, staff and students at The Romulus Football Academy. The Academy is a full-time education and football college for ages 16 to19 and has been up and running for eight years and I spent a very enjoyable morning with them all.
First on the agenda was a tour around the site showing me the classrooms, changing rooms and clubhouse where the students work from during the weekdays. The students are offered various courses, mainly a BTEC level 3 & 2 in sports leisure. Two pitches provide a training area and on a Wednesday the scholars play in the Alliance League and College League. The home of Romulus Academy provides a safe environment for fifty plus students where the emphasis is on full-time education with full-time football.
I then had a meeting with the Leader of Birmingham City Council on a number of issues affecting our wellbeing locally before visiting the Snow Dome in Tamworth.
I am sure you will remember the very tragic case of Louis Watkiss who sadly died following an accident when tobogganing at the Snow Dome last September. I am, and shall continue, to help his parents and family to make a change in the law that would make helmet wearing compulsory for all indoor snow sports.
Today I met with the owners of the Snow Dome and discussed this change in the law as well as seeing for myself the site of the tragedy.
Reminder for next week:
During the Covid pandemic, an organisation called The Angels Foundation has carried out many projects at their own expense for the betterment of our local community. This includes distributing over 2,000 face masks, food, work packs, books and stationery to families and children.
They are now distributing their winter packs which will include sleeping bags and food and I shall be with them at the Baptist Church on Trinity Hill in our Royal Town on Friday 4th February at 10am to assist them handing out parcels to organisations who help people in need.
In the Commons
During a busy week in Parliament, I have spoken twice in the chamber, firstly during an Urgent Question on the possibility of a future economic crime Bill, and I called for a meeting to discuss investigatory powers for Companies House.
Companies House remains a good library, but it does not have investigatory powers, and it is there that we want progress to be made on cracking down on dirty money and corruption. You can view here: https://youtu.be/SRjzfjYdyLg
Holocaust Memorial Day is a very important day in the calendar of the House of Commons and we should all never forget the millions of people who have perished as victims of genocide. I also called for justice for the victims of the Rwandan genocide and for the UK to put on trial the five people suspected of taking part in the genocide who are living freely in Britain. https://youtu.be/AL7cqkJCTC4
Portraits of seven of the UK's last remaining Holocaust survivors have gone on display at the Queen's Gallery down the road at Buckingham Palace to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Prince of Wales, who commissioned them, said the portraits would be a "permanent reminder" of their experiences.
Afghanistan:
We promised to double UK aid to Afghanistan this year to reduce the impacts of the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding and we have now pledged £97 million of emergency aid providing essential food, shelter, health supplies and essential child protection services to those who are most in need. We are also giving humanitarian agencies a boost by changing the law this week to make it easier for them to deliver aid in Afghanistan.
By doubling the aid, we helping to save lives, protecting women and girls and supporting stability in the region.
Cancer Treatment:
We have also announced this week that a ground-breaking cancer treatment, atezolizumab, will now be available on the NHS which will reduce the risk of tumours returning and allowing patients to return to normal life.
Events and Useful Information
Mobile Household Recycling Centres:
Please see below the visits scheduled week commencing 17th January 2022 of the Council’s Mobile Household Recycling Centre in your Constituency.
Dates and locations for MHRCs are publicised locally, shortly before a planned visit. Visit times are 07:00-12:00. The locations in your constituency are:
Tue 01/02/2022 Slade Road B75 5PG
M42: As you may be aware, works were recently completed on the M42 motorway between Junction 9 (Dunton Interchange) and Junction 10 (Tamworth Interchange) to prepare for a bridge to be moved into place over the motorway later this year.
I am now informed that following the works on the northbound carriageway, work will now be undertaking additional works to the southbound carriageway causing a temporary closure of the M42 Southbound between Junctions 10 and 9 this weekend.
This will obviously cause disruption for residents, businesses and motorists and will continue but I am promised that they will do all they can to mitigate the impacts of these works.
West Midland Metro Service update:
The ongoing repairs to the West Midlands Metro tram fleet are progressing well and I am pleased to report that they expect to be able to return regular services to Grand Central and the Library by this Sunday 30 January, dependent on tram availability.
A service between Wolverhampton and Bull Street has been maintained over the last month and this was achieved with a mix of fully repaired trams from the existing fleet and some new vehicles they were able to fast track into service.
Engineers from both West Midlands Metro and the tram manufacturer have been working round the clock to ensure the new repairs are robust and that once a full service resumes it will be safe, reliable and sustainable.
The latest information will be updated regularly. If you would like any further information, please do email customerrelations@tfwm.org.uk.
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Tickets - General Sale Now Open
Tickets are now back on sale and this time it will be on a first come first served basis, so people are encouraged to go to birmingham2022.com to plan their visit to the Games. Buy your tickets for Birmingham 2022 now! Secure your seat to #B2022 right now by buying tickets here → https://bit.ly/3pcsxnx
Be quick - tickets are now being sold on a first come, first served basis.
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