Welcome to my November e-newsletter. It is a relief that lockdown will be lifted on time on 2nd December, but depressing and disappointing that the Tier Two restrictions which will then come into force will continue to have a major impact on our lives.
Moving out of lockdown will, however, enable the resumption of many activities, including places of worship, shops, restaurants, hair and beauty services, outdoor sports, gyms etc. And whilst it won’t a normal Christmas, this second lockdown has suppressed cases sufficiently to allow some relaxation of the rules over the festive season to enable groups of three households to gather together.
I understand and share the grave concern felt about the economic consequences of Covid and its impact on jobs, business and the public finances. I am especially worried about the plight of our pubs and hospitality businesses.
I will be doing everything I can to ensure my constituents can benefit from the package of funding support from the Government which is larger than anything ever attempted in this country before. The extension of the furlough and self-employed support scheme until March provides an important safety net and grants continue to be paid to businesses which have had to close as a result of Covid.
I will hold Ministers to account rigorously on their Covid response. As soon as it looks safe to start lifting emergency measures, I will speak up strongly for that to happen. I have pressed Health Ministers to review the Tier level for London every week and lift the constraints on our daily lives as soon as possible. With effective vaccines on the horizon, there is a real hope of a return to the normality in the spring.
In the meantime, my work campaigning on the issues that matter to my constituents has continued under lockdown. I’ve helped secure funding for maintained nursery schools; I’ve collected more signatures on my petition against the Mayor of London’s plans to build over station car parks (click here to add your name); I’ve spoken up in Parliament for constituents who are worried about not being able to see their elderly or disabled relatives living in care homes; I’ve called for extra help for local high streets; and I’ve made a speech in Parliament on the importance of ensuring UK aid to the Palestinians is not misused (click here to see the Hansard report).
I am also re-establishing a crucial All Party Parliamentary Group on Events, following on from meetings with constituents who work in the events and conference sector and who are desperate to get their businesses open again.
For more information on my local campaigns and activities, you can click on the links below to articles on my website. Please pass on this email to anyone you think would be interested to see it or join my mailing list. You can also follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/theresavillierscb.
With warmest wishes
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers
Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet
Barnet MPs fight to save local nursery schools
MPs Theresa Villiers and Mike Freer have helped secure a £60m funding boost for maintained nurseries, and a promise by Ministers that reform is underway which could open the way for Barnet schools to be included in a long term settlement for this part of our education system. Read more…
Villiers speaks up for local businesses and high streets
As England entered the second lockdown, Theresa asked for further help from the Government for businesses hit by the Covid outbreak. Read more…
Villiers to chair APPG for Events
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Events has been re-established with Theresa Villiers as its chair. This crucial sector supports 750,000 jobs in the UK and facilitates huge amounts of inward investment and trade through business conference. Events and conference businesses have experienced severe difficulties during the Covid outbreak and Theresa will be working with other MPs to make sure the voice of this part of our economy is heard in Parliament. Read more...
Barnet marks Remembrance Sunday in lockdown
A two minute silence was observed at the war memorials around Barnet on Remembrance Sunday with social distancing leading to significant changes in how this important commemoration is observed. Read more….
Care home visits query
Several times during the pandemic, Theresa has raised issues in Parliament relevant to the care sector. In the most recent case, she appealed to Ministers to find a way for care home visits to take place in a Covid-secure way so people can spend time with their loved ones. Read more….
Villiers campaigns to save maintained nursery schools in Barnet
In advance of the spending review, Theresa gathered signatures on a cross-party letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking him for funding for maintained nursery schools which have been in serious financial difficulties for the last few years. Read more….
President Erdogan’s Varosha visit condemned
The MP for Chipping Barnet spoke out this month against the decision by the Turkish Government to re-open beachfront areas in Famagusta, contrary to UN resolutions, and she condemned the visit to the city by Turkish President Erdogan as “provocative”. Read more….
How to contact Theresa
Your local MP and her team are working hard to respond to constituents’ concerns; but some changes have had to be made to the way Theresa and her staff are working in order to comply with social distancing rules and public health advice
If you need Theresa’s help you will need to email her on [email protected], ring her constituency office on 020 8449 7345, or write to Theresa Villiers MP, 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.
In order to comply with social distancing and avoid any crowding in her constituency office, all Theresa’s surgeries are now appointment-only and meetings will take place via Zoom where possible. The next surgery takes place on Saturday 5th December. Anyone wishing to see Theresa or her staff will need to make an appointment in advance. You will NOT be seen if you turn up without a pre-booked appointment. Bookings can be made using the contact details set out above.
The waiting room which is normally available during surgeries will be closed. Constituents will need to arrive at the time of their appointment and will be asked to queue outside if they are early, or if there are delays to the appointment schedule. We apologise for this inconvenience but it is necessary to minimise the number of people in the constituency office at one time.
Promoted by Dominic Lowe on behalf of Theresa Villiers both at 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.
