As the advent calendars start to be opened, Christmas music dominates the radio and trees go up in living rooms across the country, it’s time for some much-needed festive cheer after what has been an incredibly tough 9 months, with likely a few more to come. I’m certainly looking forward to enjoying the simple pleasures of putting up the festive decorations, while I’m also excited about being part of Small Business Saturday this weekend and doing some local shopping.
This week, I took a deep breath and supported the new tiers system replacing the lockdown. Taking everything into account, I believe it is the most viable way through which we can control this virus, whilst allowing as many businesses and sectors to reopen in areas where infection rates are not dangerously high. It is frustrating to see West and East Sussex both start in Tier 2, but positively, Sussex is now towards the lower end of the criteria used to determine which Tier areas are in. If we all continue to do our best to follow the rules, as everyone has continued to do so brilliantly over the course of this terrible year, we can move back to Tier 1, with the vaccine roll out on the horizon. We don’t want to go through the situation in Wales, where they are returning to lockdown measures after earlier sacrifices. I want local families to be able to set up their suitable Christmas bubble get-togethers.
I was pleased to join in with Carer’s Rights Day last week and I know from both personal experience and from speaking to family Carers across Mid Sussex the importance of the work they do, day-in day-out. It is vital we give them the recognition and appreciation they so deserve. I also joined in with Carers UK on Friday, in my role as Employment Minister, to hear their concerns around balancing work and careers. Pleasingly, the Government have extended the Carer UK support phone line until March and are providing free flu vaccines for the 5.4 million unemployed Carers through winter.
I have been in regular touch with UK Power Networks (UKPN) recently, following a number of power cuts Haywards Heath this month. They have asked me to, for the benefit of constituents, pass on their Priority Services Register (PSR), which is free to register for those eligible - they do not charge for any additional help or support they provide in a power cut. As UKPN do not bill customers directly, their PSR data helps them understand the nature of any vulnerability behind any property affected, as well as offer proactive support to those on the register. The registration link is: https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/power-cut/priority-services-register