** UPDATE **
Statement from Dr Luke Evans MP
Last night I voted in the Public Health debate to support the Government’s proposals for a local tier system of coronavirus restrictions which would see Hinckley and Bosworth placed in Tier 3.
Let me be clear. I voted for those restrictions because at this point in time I believe the evidence supports Tier 3 is right for us. Our rates have been higher than the national average and our NHS locally is at risk.
However, it’s important to note the picture is changing.
It’s heartening that transmission trends throughout Hinckley and Bosworth have dropped massively, and more widely throughout Leicester and Leicestershire they are showing significant improvements.
But at the same time I know our NHS is under continued sustained pressure suspending some non-COVID interventions, and without careful management could well see demand far exceeding capacity, and the very real risk of people dying because they cannot access it. I know this because senior medics and public health leads right here in Leicestershire have told me categorically that is the case.
I never want to put you or one of your family members in a position when you can’t get the care you need for COVID or non-COVID reasons, that is simply not acceptable to me.
If trends continue as they are doing then in two weeks’ time Hinckley and Bosworth will be out of the immediate danger zone and then the argument can be made to drop to Tier 2 based on all of the evidence which the Government assesses – trends and NHS capacity.
Hinckley and Bosworth has categorically and undeniably proved over the summer that we can keep COVID levels low, while neighbours remain high.
The Health Secretary has assured me that the next assessment, in a fortnight, will ‘see Leicestershire assessed separately from Leicester, on its own merits’. I trust him and will hold him fast to that promise.
I favour the borough based model, which I believe that in 2 weeks time, there will be the evidence base against the 5 criteria to make the case for Hinckley & Bosworth moving tiers, of course we will have to see if this holds true.
There were no easy decisions in last night’s vote, some of my colleagues voted against the measures, the majority voted for them – all made their decisions in the knowledge that there are significant drawbacks in the way that they voted. This is a “Sophie’s choice” with only least bad options.
I understand that my decision will affect you and your family, and your business, and particularly the hospitality sector, so I will continue to fight to ensure those affected receive appropriate support and that their businesses can survive and eventually thrive once more.
Leadership is about making tough decisions. Leaders don’t abstain or sit on their hands in tough times. Leaders take a stance in the best interests of their communities and work hard to support those detrimentally affected. That is what I will continue to endeavour to do in the coming weeks and months.
** ENDS **
This evening I spoke in the Public Health debate, at the end of which there will be a vote to decide whether to accept the Government's proposed tiers for covid restrictions.
I spoke about the importance of Hinckley and Bosworth being the masters of our own fate in seeing local restrictions being lifted.
You can see my speech in this video.
