I was delighted to see our positive vision for Swindon was rewarded with our best ever performance in the local elections. Our majority on Swindon Borough Council increased from 3 to 15, gaining seats across Swindon we have never previously won. I am very proud of all our candidates who have worked so hard. I wish to congratulate all the newly elected Councillors who have a wonderful opportunity to champion their respective communities and I look forward to working with them in coming years. On Tuesday the Government set out its legislative programme for the upcoming year during the Queen’s Speech.
The Covid recovery was at the centre of the plans, with the Government promising a ‘turbo-charged’ recovery, with more widely spread opportunities in every part of the country. To help give people the opportunity to retrain or diversify their skills to make the most of these opportunities – as well as providing employers with the skilled workforce they need – the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill will help deliver the Government’s Lifetime Skill Guarantee.
The Government is also making the most of the freedoms presented by Brexit, which will see it launch freeports, modernise the planning system, and reform procurement rules and regulations. The Queen’s speech also promised to increase public expenditure on research and development to £22 billion and create the Advanced Research and Invention Agency focused on funding high risk/high reward research and development – this has the potential to make the UK a science superpower, harnessing our world leading Life Sciences sector.
Safety and security also featured, with the Government looking to bring about tougher sentences for serious and violent offenders via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill; and ensure that those who protect us are given the respect and support they deserve through the Armed Forces Bill.
Looking forward to next week, the Government has confirmed that Stage 3 of the Roadmap Out of Lockdown will be going ahead and restrictions will be eased a little further.
This means that from Monday groups of 6 people or two households of any size will be able to meet inside, and groups of up to 30 people will be able to meet outside. Overnight stays will be also be allowed, and hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen. Care home residents will be allowed 5 named visitors, as well as more freedom to leave their home without having to self-isolate on their return.
Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas will also be re-opening – something I have very much looking forward to. With the recent mixed weather umbrellas in pub gardens have been well used so I am sure many people will be pleased to hear that bars, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve customers indoors.
This is a hugely positive step towards a return to normality, but it is important that we are still mindful of the Covid threat and carefully consider the vulnerability of our loved ones and ensure that social distancing is observed for the time being. If all goes well then the Step 4 can begin on the 21st of June, where the Government hopes to end legal limits on social contact. However, this depends on current progress continuing, so it is important to follow the rules for the time being – we really are so close.
