Our Online Safety Bill is continuing to progress through Parliament, with the key Second Reading stage having now been completed. I wholeheartedly support this vital legislation, as both a concerned mother and constituency MP, who has too often seen and heard about the impact of fraud on the most vulnerable. This will make the internet safer, protect innocent victims from being taken advantage of and conned by fraudsters online. I was pleased to be able to attend Vodafone’s event in Westminster to discuss the importance of this Bill, the work of bodies like the NSPCC and the IWF hotline, and how we can work together to make the internet a safe place for our children and people at every age.
As a lifelong football fan and former Sports Minister, I’m very proud to say we’re introducing an independent football regulator in England following our fan-led review into the game. Whether you enjoy watching or playing the game, we all know and understand how central football is in this country, as we saw just last Summer. That’s why I’m so pleased this latest announcement will provide much-needed reform, protecting clubs throughout the football pyramid and the work done through clubs in local communities, like Haywards Heath Town FC – who I watched play on Saturday. It was also lovely to see students from Blackthorns School who were the mascots on a proud day for local parents.
I was proud to formerly open the Roche new Distribution Centre last Friday in Burgess Hill. Roche have been on the cutting edge with the pandemic and to see how this impressive facility is providing patients with access to critical diagnostics products, as well as also importantly creating more skilled job opportunities for the area, was fantastic. I want to thank the local staff at Roche for supporting several charities across Mid Sussex working to assist those in the local community impacted by the pandemic. As Employment Minister, I know how immense the work of the warehouse and distribution sectors have done over the last two years.
It was great to broadcast my Sunday radio show from the Haywards Heath Spring Festival on Sunday - I love this time of year when outdoor events start to take place again. It was lovely to meet constituents, charity organisations and local business owners. From ice cream donkey rides to tombolas, it was a lovely afternoon in the sunshine.
Finally, a big shout out to the National Trust’s Blossom Watch Campaign - I was delighted to be able to plant a new tree in East Grinstead to mark this important campaign and one at the Air Cadets base in Haywards Heath, as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
