DECEMBER brings with it many things to look forward to. Our towns and villages are looking festive, we can look forward to spending the holidays with loved ones and we are out of national lockdown.

Worcestershire is now in tier 2, meaning we can reopen shops, hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, sports facilities, cinemas, theatres, museums, tourist attractions, pubs and cafes (serving alcohol with a substantial meal). We’re able to do this because the vast majority of people followed the lockdown guidance last month, helping bring the infection numbers down enough to safely reopen many more businesses.

Worcestershire is now in tier 2, meaning we can reopen shops, hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, sports facilities, cinemas, theatres, museums, tourist attractions, pubs and cafes (serving alcohol with a substantial meal). We’re able to do this because the vast majority of people followed the lockdown guidance last month, helping bring the infection numbers down enough to safely reopen many more businesses.

Although the four weeks of lockdown did put a momentary stop to constituency-based activities, I’m pleased that I was able to visit businesses in Broadway for Small Business Saturday.

I also received some good local news from Chris Heaton-Harris, Transport Minister, that a submission to reopen the former rail line that used to connect Stratford-upon-Avon and Honeybourne will be progressing to the next stage. This has huge potential for opening up faster routes between Worcester, Evesham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Honeybourne and Birmingham.

The pandemic and lockdown are felt by all sectors. In the House of Commons, I also made a statement in my capacity as Sports Minister on the £300 million sports winter survival package to see major spectator sports through this difficult period and a statement on the Gambling Act Review as we update regulations to fit in with the digital age.

Like many of you, I’m looking forward to seeing Worcestershire open up again, albeit not completely, and I’m looking forward to a more positive 2021 now that we know a vaccine will be rolled out. I remain hopeful that if we continue to follow guidance and the measures in place, there is the potential of entering tier 1 in the near future.