Over the weekend we all had to batten down the hatches to cope with Storm Eustice - I very much hope you all made it through unscathed. I want to say a big thank you to the emergency services who, unlike most of us, were out and about helping people in the community. I also want to thank West Sussex County Council who did an exceptional job to clear our roads to allow cars to pass where trees had fallen.
Back in Parliament, the Prime Minister kicked off this week by announcing that all remaining Covid-19 restrictions are coming to an end today (Thursday). We all know that restrictions have taken a heavy toll on our communities and economy and yet were totally necessary to combat the pandemic, particularly at a time when we had no immunity in our society. Thanks to our vaccination programme, and the reduced severity of Omicron, we are now in a position where the balance of risk has moved to facilitate a return to normal. There will still be special measures put in place to protect the most vulnerable with a fourth booster jab being rolled out in the Spring for the elderly and clinically extremely vulnerable.
Although this week we are regaining freedom, across the continent Russia has begun to take it away from the people of Ukraine. This is an extremely tense and volatile situation, brought about by Russian aggression against a democratic and free society. Our Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Defence Secretary have responded with an immediate package of sanctions that target individuals and organisations linked to the Russian state and of strategic or economic significance to them.
I’d like to reiterate the Foreign Office advice for all British Nationals to leave Ukraine. If you have friends or family still there, they must evacuate immediately. Consular support is available 24/7 on +44 (0)1908 516666 or +380 44 4903660. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine, who are facing a terrifying display of naked aggression – and with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who are posted in bordering NATO countries.
