EVESHAM’s MP Nigel Huddleston writes for the Observer..
OVER the last few weeks we’ve seen further easing of lockdown measures as we try to open up the economy and enable people to see their family and friends again. But at every point, the Government has said that we may need to intervene to inhibit spikes, so unfortunately we have seen some lockdown measures in areas with regional outbreaks.
Now that Parliament is in recess, I’ve been able to travel more around the constituency to talk to local residents and see businesses reopening. The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme is fully in motion and has been welcomed by hospitality businesses, as has the VAT cut for the tourism sector which sustains tens of thousands of jobs across Worcestershire. It’s great to see more people out and about from Broadway to Droitwich and I was pleased to visit the Valley in Evesham recently to see how they are recovering from Coronavirus and hear about their future plans.
It’s good news that more leisure activities are opening up and I visited the Evesham Leisure Centre as gyms and pools reopened – and also took the opportunity to kayak at Aztec Adventure in Upton Warren. I’ve visited volunteers and healthcare workers including at Droitwich Spa Hospital – which helped bolster local NHS provision throughout the crisis. Every visit has reinforced the fact that we’re moving forward and that local people have done their utmost to follow the guidelines.
As Minister of Sport, I was fortunate enough to participate in two local events of national importance. First, I attended the celebration of two years to go to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the centre of Birmingham. The games will bring huge benefits to the whole West Midlands region. Secondly, I attended a pilot of fans in stadia at Edgbaston Cricket ground – where Warwickshire were playing Worcestershire. These test events are pivotal to determining how we can open up live sporting events over the coming months.
Looking beyond our good weather and summer holidays, the past weeks have shown we must remember that Coronavirus is still with us. Please do continue to stay safe.”
