Although she died before I became your MP in the past twelve months I have heard an awful lot about the courageous little girl Isla Tansey who inspired so many people with her #islastones campaign and her positivity and joy of life.

On Monday I had the great privilege of talking about Isla and everything she achieved during a debate on childhood cancers in Westminster Hall.

The debate had come about as a result of a petition asking the Government for a clearer approach on childhood cancer is general and the awful DIPG in particular. It was both tragically sad and inspiring to hear so many MPs tell their stories of children like Isla, we need Government to respond appropriately to this important petition. You can see my speech here.

Aside from that this week I have:

• Had a one to one meeting with the Health Secretary to make the case for an evidenced based approach calling for Hinckley and Bosworth to be separated from Leicester should COVID-19 transmission rates and hospital capacity continue to improve.
• Made the same point in a meeting of East Midlands MPs with the Health Minister and senior Public Health England officials.
• Met with Downing Street’s housing policy lead to discuss concerns with proposed planning policy, including projected housing numbers and how it will impact Hinckley and Bosworth – and pushed for changes.
• Took part in the Health and Social Care Select Committee where we asked Professors Chris Whitty, Patrick Valance and Dr Harries about the lessons learnt from coronavirus.
• Wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about support for the hardest hit sectors: hospitality, conferencing and the wedding industry for example.
• Spoke with Matt Hancock and CCG leads about getting vaccines started here in Leicestershire – I’m delighted that they are starting today!
• And finally wrote and posted my Christmas Cards – there seems to be more every year!