Following on from the Prime Minister’s announcement last Sunday night about the roadmap for lifting lockdown this week I took the opportunity to ask both him and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about supporting our economy here in Bosworth.

I asked the Prime Minister to ensure that businesses can easily access bounce back and coronavirus business interruption loans, and raised the subject of ‘buy local’ marketing campaigns with the minister.

You can see my questions and hear the responses by clicking the following links:

Question to the Prime Minister: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/bounceback-and-cbil-loans-my-question-prime-minister

Question to the Secretary of State for BEIS: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/dr-luke-i-intend-speak-loudly-and-often-local-businesses-parliament

A key role for any MP is to be a voice for their constituents. As businesses in and around Hinckley and Bosworth face uncertain times I intend to speak out loudly and often to ensure Government does all it can to help them through this period.

Not every question is going to change the law or result in more money, but every question will make ministers more aware of the challenges facing this constituency and make them more likely to listen. I intend on being a constant advocate for our local economy.

This week I have also:

• Spoke in the coronavirus general debate about the need for legacy planning: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/my-speech-coronavirus-general-debate
• Thanked the wonderful volunteers at the Desford Support Group.
• Highlighted the Chancellor’s announcement extending the furlough scheme.
• Wrote about the need for prioritising the treatment of mental health for NHS staff: https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/05/luke-evans-we-must-protect-the-long-term-mental-health-of-frontline-nhs-staff.html and https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-risking-the-mental-health-of-our-nhs-staff
• Took part in a conference call with other Leicestershire MPs and the Chief Constable about the Leicestershire force’s response to coronavirus.
• And another with the Prime Minister.
• Held a meeting with Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, about Twycross Zoo.
• Spoke to the Schools Regional Commissioner to follow up from my Education question on Hinckley Academy before lockdown
• Discussed future resilience of our health system as lockdown eased in the Health Select Committee
• Supported more businesses about applying for the Top-up Grant application
• Received written answers to my questions on support for Domestic Violence victims, protecting soldiers helping at COVID test centres, mental health support for health care workers and government support for the road haulage industry – you can see those answers and many more here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?pid=25805&pop=1#n4