tatement from Suzanne Webb MP regarding the extension to the Coronavirus Act.
"I was perfectly happy to vote in support of a six-month extension to the Coronavirus Act today.
"The Government needs all the tools at its disposal to ensure Covid infections are kept low, the NHS is protected and, crucially, that this is the last lockdown the country has to endure.
"We have an excellent vaccination programme that, jab by jab, is protecting millions each month and the Prime Minister has detailed a clear roadmap out of this lockdown.
"Next week we will enjoy further freedoms when six people or two households can meet out of doors. It’s clear there is no desire from anyone to keep our freedoms from us for a moment longer than necessary.
"But we must all recognise significant issues remain. There is a third wave of infections in Europe and the EU’s vaccination programme is not as advanced as ours.
"I think the Prime Minister was right to warn this third wave might well come to our shores. We also have fears about new Covid variants that our vaccinations might not be as effective towards.
"This must mean the Government has to be able to act quickly and decisively to meet these threats, especially at a time when all the population has not received a Covid jab.
"The Coronavirus Act allows such action to be taken. Right now, it would be unwise not to accept an extension is still needed."
