Dear friends,

We are living in very difficult times at present and I wish you all well and every safety.  Daily, we are consistently hearing in the media the latest daily update on the coronavirus situation.

Although Parliament is not sitting, I am fully involved in constituency correspondence – of which there has been a large increase in volume – and I am also dealing with a whole range of other matters. 

I have been deeply engaged on the issue of personal protective equipment for doctors and frontline professional health staff and also on the issue of testing. 

I raised the issue of personal protective equipment with the Secretary of State in House of Commons on 10 March 2020. 

On the question of testing, again through constituency correspondence, I have been in direct communication with the Government in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of the testing arrangements, including personal discussions with the ministers concerned.

I added my name, along with other Staffordshire MPs, to a letter supporting Community First Responders, who have been told from 01 April that they cannot use their blue lights and sirens and to return all equipment, including maternity packs and drugs – they are needed at this crucial time more than ever. 

Similarly, I suggested to the Government that it would be a good idea to engage with parish and town councils directly during this period and to provide them with additional resources.  It is these councils who are often closest to the local communities and volunteers they represent and know the people concerned really well.  I received a helpful response on this. 

Finally, as Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, I am engaged in the publication of our Report regarding a range of matters relating to coronavirus. 

I wish you all the very best and will continue my constituency work and correspondence, as ever.