Largan column: 'The government is striking a sensible balance'

In his latest column, High Peak MP Robert Largan gives his reaction to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's roadmap announcement for easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

On Monday, the government set out the roadmap for easing lockdown. The roadmap includes four stages for easing restrictions, striking a balance between social and economic impacts, and protecting the health and safety of our country.

Before progressing through each step of the plan, the government will examine the latest data to ensure four key tests are met.

These tests include the vaccine deployment programme continuing successfully; evidence showing vaccines are effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths of those vaccinated; infection rates not risking a surge in hospitalisations; risk assessments not being fundamentally changed by new variants.

With the four tests currently met, the government is going ahead with the first step, getting all children back into schools from 8 March. The government will also prioritise ways for people to safely reunite with their loved ones and the return of outdoor organised sports towards the end of March.

The government is striking a sensible balance. It’s essential that this current lockdown is the last lockdown, so a cautious approach is the prudent one.

Further support to businesses and people affected will be announced by the Chancellor in next week’s Budget. I will be carefully scrutinising the Red Book and the detail of the new support. I strongly believe the government has a duty to continue standing by local businesses and workers, helping the High Peak to bounce back from the crisis.

The UK’s vaccination programme continues to pick up pace, with more than one in three adults having received a vaccine dose already. I’m incredibly proud that the High Peak vaccine rollout is one of the most advanced anywhere in the country. We are all grateful to those who are working so hard to make it happen.

But there is a lot more to do. The government has announced an ambitious target to offer a coronavirus vaccine to every adult in the country by the end of July. That means all vulnerable people in categories 1-9 and those over 50 being offered a vaccine by 15 April.

Every jab helps protect the most vulnerable and takes us a step closer to easing restrictions. With the roadmap announced this week, the end is finally in sight.

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