Christmas 2021

Reflecting back to this time last year, it is striking how far we have come.

Last year, just before people began to move around the country for the Christmas break, it was with the bitterest regret that the government had to impose restrictions on gatherings over the festive period. This change, which we all wished to avoid, meant last minute disappointment for so many after a tough year, and I know it was particularly difficult for those with children, as well as for grandparents.

But of course, the first doses of the covid vaccine had only just been administered in the lead up to Christmas 2020, meaning very few people were protected against the worst of the virus. In contrast, the rollout this year means almost 90% of the adult population have received at least one dose of the covid vaccine, with many now having received a booster jab or third dose.

We also now have effective drugs to combat the worst cases of covid, such as the recently approved Molnupiravir, which was found to reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death for COVID-19 patients most at risk by 50 per cent.

I write well before Christmas, and I have no wish to tempt fate, since we all know how resilient covid has proved. But local clinicians are working flat out to get more jabs into arms, to do all we can to avoid any reimposition of restrictions. So I am hopeful that this year, unlike last, it will be easy for friends and family to come together and celebrate Christmas as we all normally would.

This year will also see the resumption of Christmas services in the many churches in South Shropshire, which I know will bring great comfort to those with faith. The very nature of collective worship meant that congregations and choirs were particularly restricted when covid restrictions were in place, so I am grateful these services have resumed.

While enjoying the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, please spare a thought for those who cannot be with their families – including all those who work in our NHS and emergency services, and those serving in our Armed Forces, who have continued their vital work while still adapting to the challenges of covid this year.

Once again this year, as the long lasting impact of covid remains, the work of volunteers has been critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. So I would like to thank all those who have given up time, in whatever capacity, to help others in need this year.

I wish everyone in South Shropshire a very Happy Christmas, with best wishes for the year ahead.

Rt Hon Philip Dunne

MP for Ludlow