It’s just over a year since the first cases of a little-known virus that had been discovered in the Hubei province of China were first identified here in Britain.

In that year that has followed the world has changed immeasurably and Covid-19 is a name that none of us will ever forget.

A year later there has been far too much loss of life, but the achievements by scientists in formulating and now rolling out vaccines are truly remarkable. There is still some way to go though before we can say we have defeated the virus.

This week has been a parliamentary recess and whilst it’s normally the case that MPs work in the constituency at these times at the start of this week I have taken a couple of days off.

Coronavirus has in some way or another affected all of our mental wellness. Even though at this time taking a long weekend means staying in the same place it is vitally important that we all from time to time take a day or two to recharge our batteries. There is still a huge way to go in the coming months and my team and I are hear to support you as best we can.

Please try to take a little time for yourselves to take a break. We all need one and it allows us to come back refreshed.

Aside from that this week I have:

• Spoken with the vaccines minister about the continuing progress of the national rollout, and raised issues over the wording of some of the letters, this is now being looked at.
• Met with a local company who are providing integrated careers advice to schools to help enable pupils to better understand the future jobs market and how to prepare and skill up for roles.
• Held a series of round table meetings with a number of local hairdressers and beauticians about the issues likely to affect them on reopening.
• Took part in an expert panel on mental health and body image with Birmingham University.
• Had a meeting with fellow Leicestershire MPs and local NHS leads about the Covid-19 vaccination programme and followed up about the deficit uncovered in the hospital finances.
• Raised with DEFRA again the issue of Twycross Zoo about funding and safely opening.
• Met with a high-tech business about the potential of them investing in battery technology research and development in the Bosworth constituency.