MP says Prime Minister's 'new deal' is just what Bassetlaw needs

This means more investment for schools, hospitals, high streets, roads, rail, flood defences and much more.

These are things we really need in Bassetlaw, so I welcome this announcement.

The Government has provided unprecedented support for families and businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The jobs retention scheme has been used by more than 1.1 million employers to protect 9.2 million people’s jobs at a value of £22.9 billion, while the self-employed income support scheme has been used by more than 2.6 million to the value of £7.6 billion.

The safety net is also working – with an extra 2.3 million people getting the help they need through universal credit since March 12.

The government has also provided billions in loans to support businesses and now we must now focus on our economy bouncing back.

We saw a historic moment in the House of Commons this week as MPs voted for the final stages of the Immigration Bill to end free movement, take back control and introduce a points-based immigration system.

The Labour Party did not vote for it – it’s leadership may have changed, but it’s determination to deny the will of the people hasn’t.

I am confident that Britain is in a good position to secure a great trade deal with the EU after the transition period at the end of December.

Finally, there are various articles being shared on social media claiming that Conservative MPs voted against weekly testing of NHS staff.

We’ve seen this sort of thing before with ‘lowering food standards’ and ‘abandoning child refugees’.

This is usually a vote on a motion or amendment made by the Opposition (who of course don’t run the country) and is generally nothing more than a statement, usually sandwiched between criticism of the Government.

Votes on these statements make no difference to actual policy and I think it is important that the UK’s testing policy is led by the chief medical officer – who said this was unnecessary – not politicians.

Brendan Clarke-Smith is MP for Bassetlaw.