I had a very busy summer this year, working hard in the constituency and dealing with significant amounts of correspondence, helping local people on a whole range of issues and concerns - including the immensely troubling situation in Afghanistan over August. In fact, you can see a short video I made at the time Parliament was recalled to debate this, here.
As always, I have been working hard, listening to you on the issues that matter, and then campaigning on them for you back in Westminster. In the last couple of weeks, it has been great to be back in the House after the recess and below are some of the things I’ve been up to in the last few weeks.
As ever, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the contact details at the bottom of this newsletter.
With best wishes,
Tom Pursglove MP
Member of Parliament for Corby & East Northamptonshire
Working for you across Corby & East Northamptonshire!
A new ministerial role within Government - excited to get to work!
Last Friday, I was hugely honoured to be asked by the Prime Minister to join the Home Office and Ministry of Justice as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. The hard work began straight away, with a thorough induction and this week I begin my first official duties, taking the flagship Nationality & Borders Bill through its Committee Stage in the House of Commons. It is an enormous honour and a privilege to be asked to serve - with so much important work to do and no time to waste! Whilst the challenges ahead are daunting, I’m really looking forward to working with both Secretaries of State and new ministerial colleagues to deliver on various key promises we made at the General Election.
My latest thoughts on COVID-19 as we head into the autumn and winter months. When you get the call, get the jab!
Week on week we continue to see increasing numbers of people vaccinated against this terrible disease - a very significant achievement - and locally, the roll-out continues apace. It’s remarkable that 89.3% of people aged 18 and over have now received at least one dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines, and 81.5% of adults have now had both doses, but it is crucial that we don’t slow down now. The 12th August marked the point at which 70% of those aged 18-29 had been vaccinated with a first dose and maintaining our momentum across all age groups is so important if we are to make sure we keep the hard won freedoms that we currently enjoy, having been able to relax the restrictions by managing the virus. Ultimately, the vaccines have been our way out and I’m hugely grateful to all of the amazing volunteers and staff that are continuing to make it happen. I am proud to have had both of my doses, having gone along to a drop-in session in Corby town centre for my second jab, and I urge everyone locally to get their doses too when the call comes!
In light of the above, I wanted to share some of the latest official statistics that have been released recently (published on the 9th September 2021) that illustrate the continuing progress of the COVID-19 vaccination programme here in Northamptonshire:
998,038 total doses given (+11,479 from previous week)
525,404 first doses given (+2,671)
472,634 second doses given (+8,808)
When you get the call, get the jab!
Vaccinations by priority age group (Northamptonshire) (Blue colour indicates first doses only and purple indicates first and second doses).
* 100% signifies that the number who have received their first dose exceeds the latest official estimate of the population from the Office for National Statistics for this group (ONS mid-2019 population estimates).
Please note the above statistics are the latest available data published by the NHS (COVID-19 weekly announced vaccinations: publication date 15 July 2021 for data period 8 December 2020 to 5 September 2021). All published COVID-19 vaccination data can be found at https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/
I said never again…but I’m running the London Marathon again for two great causes!
I said never again, but I’ve had my arm twisted and agreed to run (my last!) London Marathon at the start of October. You can find a video I have made where I talk about this, here.
This time, I'm fundraising for the brilliant Corby & East Northamptonshire charity, the Mintridge Foundation (https://www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk/), who inspire young people to get into sport by taking athletes and sports stars into schools, and Justice and Care (https://justiceandcare.org/), who do amazing work with human trafficking victims who have been through unthinkable trauma, supporting them to come forward and rebuild their lives.
I'd really love your support to boost my training as we approach the big day and to raise a great sum to help these charities carry on their important work! You can find my fundraising page, here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TomPursglove. Thank you!
Last month, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care setting out my concerns about the significant group of Novavax trial volunteers locally and the challenging situation they are facing having done the right thing in agreeing to step up and participate in vaccine trials at a crucial time in the pandemic - which needs urgent remedy. I shall be sure to share the reply once I have it and I have been raising the issue too during the discussions I have had with Ministers.
Planning applications for 5G masts at Woodnewton and Stanwick:
I wanted to say something about the 5G mast planning applications that we have seen in Stanwick and Woodnewton recently, and which are the source of understandable local concern. It is important that delivering this vital infrastructure is done sensitively and in keeping with the local area and I will be pressing for exactly that in our local context, supporting our communities in raising their valid concerns and suggestions of better locations. You can find my video on this topic, here.
Sustaining and improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake locally:
During August, I received a response from NHS Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group to my recent letter on 'pop up vaccination' centres and plans for booster shots - you can find my initial letter, here. I wanted to share their reply for those concerned about the steps being taken locally to sustain vaccine uptake - something I continue to press on. You can find it, here.
Great Oakley Village Hall 10 year anniversary:
The other Saturday saw a 10 year anniversary celebration for Great Oakley Village Hall, which I was pleased to go along to. The Village Hall provides a fantastic space for local people to use and it was great to see some of the groups that use this space regularly at the event and to say ‘thank you’ to the volunteers, without whom nothing would happen. Here’s to another 10 years and many more on top of that!
Unauthorised encampments in Middleton and Woodford - an update:
I wanted to share a quick update on the troubling issue of unauthorised encampments locally in both Middleton and Woodford. I'm keeping the pressure up for a robust, appropriate, response to what is totally unacceptable development in both cases and you can see my latest update, here.
Action on HMOs in Corby:
A significant number of people in Corby have understandably been in contact with me in recent weeks, expressing concerns about the proliferation of HMOs that we are seeing in the town. Having been raising troubling individual cases, I have now formally requested that North Northamptonshire Council consider introducing an ‘Article 4 Direction’ in Corby in order that any applications for new HMOs can be properly assessed and regulated to ensure that local residents are not negatively impacted by such changes and that development is consistent and respectful to its surroundings. You can see my letter to the council here, and I will be sure to share further updates as I have them.
Concerns about Raunds Library - helping raise local concerns:
I have been receiving a number of emails from local residents regarding the future of Raunds Library. I am mindful of what a much loved facility this is for a good number of people in our local community and am keen to help in any way that I can in securing its future for the long-term and gaining clarity around this. Indeed, I have been very active on these matters in the past and am willing, and actively being, supportive again. I have already been liaising with Raunds Town Council in search of answers. Of course, please feel free to get in touch with your concerns so that I can raise them with the relevant authorities. You can find my update video on this campaign, here.
Back British Farming Day!
Last Tuesday was ‘Back British Farming Day’ and I would like to thank farmers across the country, and particularly here in Corby & East Northamptonshire, for all their hard work throughout what has been another difficult year with the pandemic. I have enjoyed visiting some of our local farms over recent months to learn more about their diverse work - we have a strong working relationship and that will always be the case.
‘Love Corby’ business networking event - talking about our local recovery from COVID:
The other Friday, I was delighted to be asked to speak at the ‘Love Corby’ business networking event at the Corby Cube. This provided me with the opportunity to update local businesses, organisations and others on national issues, as well as my work locally, with a particular focus on how I see our community bouncing back strongly from the pandemic. It was good to also listen to the views and ideas expressed and to answer the many engaging questions, particularly about how we improve our area and best mount that strong recovery.
Brick Kiln Road, Raunds - progress on delivering the necessary flood mitigation measures:
I recently had an 'on-site' meeting with representatives of Snowdon Homes, North Northamptonshire Council and residents, to discuss the way forward with regard to preventing future flooding along Brick Kiln Road in Raunds. The good news is that a way forward is now seemingly very nearly there and I will be keeping a close eye on progress and pressing for earliest possible delivery of the scheme. More details, here.
Meeting with Chief Constable Nick Adderley and neighbouring Northamptonshire MPs:
It was really useful to have a meeting with the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police and my two neighbouring colleagues a couple of weeks ago, to discuss the challenges faced by local residents within our constituencies in relation to crime, and about what more can be done to advance the dialogue so that residents’ concerns can be best heard and acted upon. I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to the police for everything they are doing, particularly during what has been a tough 18 months through COVID. As ever, it was good to be able to raise a number of pieces of feedback I have picked up through my discussions locally about specific concerns, including rural crime and gang related violence, and also to hear more about the progress of efforts to significantly uplift officer numbers and boost frontline presence on our streets. Much has been achieved in that regard, but there remains work to do.
Local engagement, help and support – August & September 2021 in numbers:
To give local people an idea about the work I have been doing on the ground in recent weeks, actively raising local issues, feedback and concerns, and taking up individual cases, I thought it would be useful to include the pie chart below which includes the data for the month of August. Notably:
• Last month, my office received well over 1,700 emails from local residents and 788 specific new cases were created for individual constituents.
• While Coronavirus and the wide-ranging impacts that it has had on our society still account for a large proportion of the cases being dealt with, last month saw a continued increase in other issues being raised.
And mid-way through September:
• Across September, so far, I have received over 650 constituent queries, with 489 specific new cases being opened, and with more coming in all the time. Once again, almost all the correspondence received so far has been linked to topical issues around Parliament, Government, COVID-19 and other current issues, but I will provide another full update at the beginning of October.
Of course, if I can ever be of any assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to get in touch – I am always really happy to help!
• A number of people locally have understandably asked me about what support North Northamptonshire Council is providing to assist with the resettlement efforts that are being made nationally with regard to Afghan refugees and which are being coordinated by the UK Government. You can find the latest details, here: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/news/council-pledges-support-afghan-refugees.
• Residents from our area are being encouraged to take part in a public consultation on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc’s long-term development plan, which will be important in shaping the future of where we live. To find out more and to give your views, visit: https://northnorthants.citizenspace.com/oxford-cambridge-arc/have-your-say/.
• The main ticket ballot for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is now open, and will remain so until the 30th September. The Games, which is seeking to be a ‘Games for everyone’, has over 280 sessions for spectators to watch and you can find out more about tickets, here: birmingham2022.com.
• I am a keen supporter of the many small businesses we have in our area which play such a key role in our local economy. That’s why I was delighted to hear about The Association of Convenience Stores’ ‘Local Shop Report 2021’, which provides key insights into our local economy. I am clear that local businesses and our High Streets are the lifeblood of our communities and will always do everything I can to support them and help this sector grow, particularly given the tough couple of years they have faced through the pandemic. Do shop local whenever and wherever you can!
• Investment in Corby & East Northamptonshire by the Football Foundation has undoubtedly made a really positive difference to the lives of local people of all ages, helping them to keep active and make friends for life. Given this, it is fantastic news that there is more investment to come in our area and you can find out more, here: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/local-plans.
If you have anything you would like to be featured next week, please email all the details to pursglovet@parliament.uk.
Also, if you have taken any photos of constituency landscapes or landmarks, which could be featured in my ‘Community Notices’ headers, please send them in and I will try to use as many of them as possible (and credit them accordingly!), as a celebration of the fantastic place we live and work in. I know we have many budding photographers in our community and it would be great to showcase their work!
LOBBY CAMPAIGNS:
As you might be aware, I respond to standard campaign emails via my website, here. For ease, I also wanted to share the links to the most recent replies, which you can find below:
