Stockport Express 17.2.21
This week, we reached the target of vaccinating the most vulnerable people against COVID-19. More than 15 million have received their first jab. I am really pleased to see that take-up of the vaccine across Stockport has exceeded expectations. I would like to pay tribute to all volunteers, medics, armed forces and pharmacies for helping make our country one of the first in the world to vaccinate a quarter of the population. We must maintain and increase the pace still further
Whilst attention is quite rightly being focussed on the vaccination program, as a local Member of Parliament, my other main focus now is on the return of local school children to schools. Teachers, parents and pupils have worked extraordinarily hard to make current arrangements work, but a safe, orderly return to school is now crucial in order to ensure local children have the best opportunities to succeed. This is not just for academic achievement, but for the much-needed social contact that children need to grow and learn. I am very concerned by reports of an increase in poor mental health among children
The full return of children to school must be the priority for easing restrictions. This can be achieved from 8th March. I am also looking forward to the Prime Minister announcing the plan to reopen society and the wider economy. Never has so much depended on getting a plan right, so that the nightmare of COVID-19 and lockdowns can be put behind us.
