"Following the huge success of the vaccine rollout, step three in the easing of lockdown restrictions kicked in this week as we step cautiously along the roadmap to recovery. As well as bringing families together, this is great news for our tourist and hospitality industry here in Suffolk, which is raring to fully get going as the summer approaches.
Thank you to everyone who voted in the local elections recently. I was delighted that so many people put their trust in Conservatives right across the country but especially here in Suffolk, where I will support Cllr Matthew Hicks in delivering their manifesto. Of the 12 County Councillors that serve Suffolk Coastal constituency, 10 were elected from my party but as ever I will work with all councillors in the interests of the people and communities. Locally, we need to continue to progress on levelling up with good opportunities for everyone, particularly our young people.
As Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, helping our younger generation get a leg up on the employment ladder is something that I’ve been concentrating on. Our fully funded Kickstart programme is helping thousands of 16 to 24-year olds with six-month work placements that not only provide pay but experience, skills and confidence. Every day for the past six-weeks, more than 260 young people have begun a Kickstart job – more than 16,500 in total. Overall, nearly 200,000 jobs have been approved. Thanks to the confidence the British people have shown in this government, day by day, jab by jab and job by job we’re building back better from the coronavirus pandemic.
Finally, I was pleased the make a verbal submission this week at the beginning of the Sizewell C planning application hearing. EDF have recently made some significant changes to their application, much of which I welcome. However, our environmental regulators need sufficient time to assess the details to make sure they’re satisfied with the changes. I’ve, therefore, formally requested an extension to the hearing, if needed, to ensure every aspect of EDF’s application is thoroughly examined."