This week I have had the privilege to visit Hinckley’s vaccination hub at Hinckley Leisure Centre to see and hear how the vaccine rollout is progressing locally.

It was amazing to see the professional, caring and covid-secure setup that has been put together in so little time, and equally uplifting to hear the voices of people receiving jabs who have a sense of optimism for the first time in many months. What a wonderful experience!

My thanks goes out to all of the wonderful staff and volunteers at the centre who have answered the call to get Britain vaccinated, each one of them are everyday heroes.

Both locally and nationally we’re well on track to get JCVI priority groups 1 to 4 vaccinated by the middle of this month, it really is a remarkable achievement.

Of course we know that easing restrictions will only be truly effective when the vast majority of us have been vaccinated. So please, when you get the call to be vaccinated, make an appointment without delay.

This week I have also:

• Worked with other parliamentarians, council and business leaders on a cross-party basis to submit a bid for an Easy Midlands Freeport, which will bring up to 60,000 skilled jobs to our region.
• Asked the Health Secretary about providing mental health support in vaccination hubs.
• Met with the Prime Minister and other MPs with a medical background to feed in practical issues in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Met with the Digital Minister, Openreach and Leicestershire County Council to push for superfast broadband at Sketchley Brook – currently I am urging anyone affected to get in contact if they haven’t already done so, to build a strong case!
• Met with Labour MP Lyn Brown to discuss how to better care for women undergoing hysteroscopies.
• Took part in the Heath and Social Care Select Committee where this week we questioned opened our enquiry into Autism and those who suffer with Learning Difficulties.
• Met virtually with Market Bosworth Scouts to help them find funding opportunities for their Scout Hut.
• Caught up with Dr Sharon Redrobe, the Chief Executive of Twycross Zoo, to discuss how I can continue to support the zoo through this stage of the pandemic.
• Received a briefing from Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick where I heard about building safety issues, particularly the government’s announcement for solving flammable cladding.
• Had a meeting with leadership from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership to continue our work together to promote growth in our region.
• Took part in the A5 partnership meeting to update the work on getting the A5 improved.