Welcome to my January e-newsletter. This has been a very grim month for our whole country with thousands continuing to lose their lives to Covid.
The issue everyone is focused on is, of course, the vaccination programme and Britain continues to outperform almost everywhere else in the world on getting jabs into people’s arms. I have been keeping in touch with local NHS providers to maintain the pressure to ensure vaccinations get to vulnerable constituents as quickly as possible. I raised this issue in Parliament with the Prime Minister and with the Health Secretary.
Although vaccine delivery in London has been slower than in some other regions, our local NHS, the North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (NCL CCG), is ahead of most parts of the capital. All care homes for the elderly have been offered first jabs and take-up has been very high.
The Government is aiming to vaccinate the top four priority groups - care home residents, over 70s, health and care workers, and the clinically extremely vulnerable - by 15th February. This cohort of people make up 88% of Covid hospital admissions and so protecting them should make a big difference in preventing serious disease and saving lives. NCC CCG believe we are on track to meet that target in Barnet. The vaccination programme provides hope for an end to the emergency but we are not out of the woods yet. It is therefore still vital to observe lockdown rules.
Despite lockdown, it has been an exceptionally busy month for me. Issues I have raised in Parliament include help for people left out of Covid income support schemes, expanding our rail network to promote economic growth, giving young people the skills they need to get on in life, and asking the Education Secretary to listen to the concerns of headteachers.
I also took part in the latest debate on the Environment Bill. This landmark piece of legislation was one I introduced to Parliament when I was in the Cabinet and will put in place a new set of legally binding targets on crucial issues such as protecting nature, improving air and water quality, cracking down on plastics pollution, waste and litter, and promoting a more sustainable approach to use of scarce resources. My speech is published in Hansard here.
Of all the events which have had to be cancelled over the last 12 months, I particularly regret that we could not gather together to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day this week, but you can view the video produced by Barnet Council to mark this important occasion here and I shared some of my thoughts on this poignant day in the calendar here.
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
Villiers welcomes news that all elderly care homes in Barnet have received vaccinations
Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers is continuing to work with the NHS, local authorities and Ministers to ensure that vulnerable people receive their Covid vaccinations on time. She has welcomed the news that all care homes for the elderly in the borough of Barnet have been offered jabs and received visits for delivery of first doses. Read more...
Funding help for local nursery schools
MP Theresa Villiers has thanked Barnet Council for finding an extra £60,000 for maintained nursery schools. The Chipping Barnet MP has been campaigning for a long term national funding settlement to secure the future of maintained nursery schools. Read more...
Villiers hosts launch of Open Doors World Watch List on persecution of Christians around the world
Theresa Villiers has warned that increasing numbers of Christians across the world continue to experience persecution, with the pandemic adding to their suffering. Theresa made the remarks at the virtual launch for the Open Doors Top 50 World Watch List on the global persecution of Christians. Read more...
Success in campaign against station car park building plans
Enfield Council have thrown out the Mayor of London’s proposal to build 162 flats, up to seven storeys high, over the car park at Arnos Grove station, following strong opposition from local residents, councillors and MP, Theresa Villiers. Read more…
Villiers urges PM to step up vaccinations in Barnet
During the early stages of the UK vaccination programme, Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers asked the Prime Minister to intervene to speed up delivery of jabs to care home residents in Barnet. Read more...
Villiers speaks up in support of India
In Parliament this week, Theresa Villiers spoke up in support of India and its record on minority faith communities. Read more…
Demolition of Tamil Memorial condemned
Responding to the news that a memorial to Tamils who lost their lives in the Sri Lankan civil war has been demolished, Theresa Villiers MP condemned this action by the Sri Lankan authorities. The removal of the memorial was met with dismay by many British Tamils including Barnet residents. Read more…
MPs condemn irresponsible BBC Three programme on puppy breeding
A long time campaigner for animal welfare, Theresa Villiers MP joined a cross-party group of 50 MPs who wrote to BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, to complain about the decision by BBC Three to commission a programme entitled “Will my puppies make me rich?”. 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 Covid 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.
During lockdown, all Theresa’s surgeries are now appointment-only and will take place via Zoom unless there are exceptional emergency reasons requiring a face-to-face meeting. The next surgery is on Saturday 6th February. 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.
