I know many of us were anxious on Tuesday as the Prime Minister announced the return of some control measures to combat Covid-19.

In rural Dorset, we have some of the lowest case rates in the South West, which itself has the lowest rates of any UK region.

This is in no small part due to the public-spirited self-discipline of local people, and I have made clear to the Government that we do not need to be subject to any national lockdown here in West Dorset.

We are already seeing difficulties with job-retention because of the vast economic impact of the pandemic – we don’t need any more! However, I am afraid that we will be living with the virus for a little while to come.

On Monday, the Transport Secretary took the step to end rail franchising, helping to secure the rail connectivity that is so very important to us in rural West Dorset. In effect, the railways have been nationalised and I have written to the Transport Secretary to ask for a detailed explanation.

On Tuesday, I organised and chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on South West Railway, which bore a fruitful discussion between MPs and leaders in South Western Railway and Network Rail on how to provide the services we need, both now and in the future, given the considerable change in demand.

Throughout this pandemic, we have rightly thanked and supported the NHS. I’ve been lobbying Government to further support our local hospitals and I’m pleased Dorset County Hospital has just secured £2 million for its Triage and Minor Injuries Unit on top of the £62.5 million already allocated for hospital enhancement. This essential funding will support the hospital in the challenging winter months ahead, helping to reduce overcrowding and improve infection control, keeping us all safer.

CHRIS LODER

WEST DORSET MP