As some of you will already know if you follow me on Facebook, or read my weekly column in the Sevenoaks Chronicle, this month I tested positive for Covid. Thankfully I’ve had my three jabs, so symptoms were mild, but it has made me even more thankful for the phenomenal vaccination programme, which has undoubtedly saved countless lives and built a wall of defence which has allowed us to learn to live with Covid.
However, the virus has not gone away, and we must continue to top up protection for those most vulnerable so we can continue to go about our daily lives with confidence. Last week those in care homes, the over 75s, and those who are immunosuppressed aged 12 and over begun receiving invitations to a Spring Booster. These will rightly provide a top up protection for those most at risk, and I urge anyone contacted by the NHS within these groupings to come forward for the jab – as well as those who may still need to receive their first or second vaccine. For the latest details on local vaccine providers please visit my website at https://www.lauratrott.org.uk/vaccine-update
Internationally, I know you will all be as devastated as I am to see the ongoing and tragic developments in Ukraine. I am immensely proud of our community which has been donating/collecting items to be sent to Ukraine. Stonepitts Farm recently put out a plea for goods - and were so overwhelmed with the generosity that they had to stop collections. Huge thanks go to Dan Clews and his family, Kate Edmondson, Sebastian Pennells and The Bootleg Altruist for all their hard work.
I have been working hard to help families here with visa's for their loved ones and the sponsorship route. I know there have been immense frustrations with the visa scheme, and I have, and will, continue to push Government to ensure that speed is of the essence. I am currently in conversations with Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council, our local churches, Care For Our Community Ukraine and Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees to ensure they all have all they need to play a critical role in the Home for Ukraine scheme. However, if you face any issues either signing up to the scheme or registering your interest with a local organisation, please do email me at [email protected].
Our country has a long and proud history of supporting the most vulnerable during their darkest hour. We are doing so again with Ukraine. Thank you for your support with this vital effort.
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Below is a snapshot of what we have been working on. If there is anything, I can do to support you, please get in touch.
- Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine last week, I have been pushing the Government hard to extend the eligibility for visa's, especially for those which would allow more Ukrainian people to flee the conflict and join their family in the UK. I have been supporting impacted constituents and doing everything I can to help raise their cases at the highest levels, including with the Home Secretary in the House of Commons Chamber. I asked the Home Secretary in the chamber how long visa applications will take to process, as we know that every hour matters while the conflict continues. I have continued to push the local cases we have in Sevenoaks and will do so until all are safe and reunited with their families.
- One of the first issues I had to deal with after being elected were the concerns raised with me by residents in relation to the welfare of animals at Oak Farm in Halstead. Over the past two years I have continued to raise this matter with the authorities and called for enforcement action to be taken in order to protect the welfare of the farm animals. This month, I was notified that action had begun as Kent Police and Trading Standards attended the farm to ensure the removal of all animals. Given, this is an ongoing legal matter there are restrictions on what more can be said. However, please be assured that the animals are currently being well looked after and are receiving veterinary help as needed. I thank local residents, councillors and other concerned individuals who have never given up caring for the Oak Tree farm animals.
- I was absolutely delighted to hear that the Government will be introducing a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. As you will know, my Private Members Bill stopped under 18s from receiving such treatments, but alongside my colleagues from both sides of the House, I have been campaigning for further action to be taken. While people should have the right to choose what to do to their own bodies, it is vital that a regulatory framework protects consumers, and particularly those most vulnerable to social media targeting, to allow them to make informed and safe choices. I look forward to working with the Department of Health to confirm what the regime will look like, and how it will keep up with a fast-moving sector. Click here to view my interview with the Mail on Sunday.
- To mark International Women’s Day 2022, I took over the Tory Women Instagram page to give an insight into the life of an MP. To watch please click here. I also took part in a Kent MP video to thank all the women across Kent for what they do and spoke in the House of Commons debate on the work we must now do to support women and girls in Ukraine who are finding themselves victims of sexual violence in conflict. This followed my article for The Times on the same topic.
- Bus services locally are under pressure, and I have written to Arriva on behalf of constituents who have been impacted by their decision to cut services (such as the 477). In light of these developments, I met the owner of Go-Coach, Austin Blackburn, and I was pleased to hear more about the very innovative approach Go Coach are taking with bus travel locally. As well as the standard bus service that we are all used to, Go2 now operate two other styles of demand-responsive services, which I detailed in my column for the Chronicle. I have used the service for myself, as part of my commute to Westminster, and can highly recommend it!
- It was a pleasure to recently visit Valence School in Westerham, which is a Foundation Special School and part of the Kent Special Educational Needs Trust. It caters for children and young people aged 4-19 with physical disabilities and complex medical needs. A huge thank you to Matt Strange (Vice Principal Teaching and Learning), Lisa Kavanagh (Vice Principal Safeguarding and Residential) and Brian Davies (Chair of Governors) who provided me with a tour of the classrooms. I am in awe of the pupils and staff. And, very proud to have such a wonderful school in our midst. I will do all I can to support them.
- I also visited the Sevenoaks Samaritans. I heard about the incredible 100+ local residents that were trained as listening volunteers during the pandemic, and it was great to see first-hand the dedication shown by all involved on a daily basis. The team are currently focusing on engaging locally with schools and businesses, so if you would like to help support them, please visit their website. Or, if you are interested in joining their excellent volunteer team, contact recruitment at [email protected]
- Following to my letter, alongside Laura Farris MP, I was pleased that the sentence of Angel Lynn’s boyfriend – who left her with catastrophic injuries after she fell from a van at 60 MPH following his abduction of her off the street – has been rightly reviewed and extended. In January, her boyfriend was handed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence after being found guilty of kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour, and perverting the course of justice, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court. This was simply not long enough given the crimes committed. Following a nationwide campaign led by Angel’s family, and our letter to the law officers, Solicitor General Alex Chalk referred the unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal and last week senior judges extended Bowskill's sentence of seven and a half years in a young offender institution, to 12 years. I will continue to stand up for Women's Safety, and the need for longer sentences. Horrific crimes, such as this, must be properly punished if women are to have confidence in the criminal justice system.
- Further to the Sevenoaks and Swanley Climate Change Conference I hosted last year, I have now received a response from the COP President who has reflected on the discussions that took place. I am delighted to see him acknowledge the engaging way residents across Sevenoaks and Swanley are getting involved with tackling such an important issue and I am very interested to hear of Government plans to improve climate education in response to feedback. I thank the COP President for taking the time to reply, and I will continue to work with residents, local councillors and businesses to ensure we are leading the way in a more sustainable future.
- And finally, I joined the Sutton Trust for their “Ask an Alum MP” session, alongside Labour MP Wes Streeting. I am incredibly proud to have been a student at the Sutton Trust Summer School, and the experience really did change my life. I would encourage everyone aged 16/17 to look at whether they would meet the criteria for the programme: https://www.suttontrust.com/our-programmes/
