A weird week. I am sorry that between us, the politicians and the media have whipped up a storm that in no way helps the country’s battle to recover from the coronavirus crisis.
I have received an enormous amount of emails complaining about Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s support of him, and my support of them both. Some were abusive but most, while angry or dismayed, had perfectly legitimate comments or questions.
I am so pleased to hear today that plans for a new train station to serve Devizes are a step closer. The proposals for a train station at Lydeway have been supported by a Department for Transport panel.
One of the consolations of lockdown for me has been the opportunity to watch a whole season pass. For you long-term Wiltshiremen and women this will seem perfectly normal, but I don’t think I have spent two uninterrupted months in the countryside since I was a child.
Since the coronavirus took hold in the UK I have received hundreds of queries from people trying to access the various support packages from the Government, particularly from businesses.
The Government is quite rightly trying to get children back to school as soon as possible. All children need an education, vulnerable children need the safety of school, and the economy needs the childcare that schools provide.
Today the Agriculture Bill is being debated and voted on in the House of Commons. This is the most important piece of legislation for the rural economy since the 1940s, as it sets the terms for farm support for the post-Brexit era. For 40 years agriculture policy has been set in Brussels.
Yesterday I held an online meeting with the leaders of five of Wiltshire’s charities working with elderly people and vulnerable adults.* We were also joined by Councillor Laura Mayes and Alison Elliot, who oversee adult social care for Wiltshire Council.
Two pieces of good news for businesses. On Monday the Government launched a new type of loan aimed at helping small businesses throughout the country to get through the current crisis.
