With lockdown restrictions back in place across the UK, the most pressing issue we face is the Covid-19 vaccination rollout.

Vaccines are currently being rolled out across the UK to first-priority groups – NHS front-line staff, care home residents and staff, those aged over 80, over 75, over 70 and those deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable.

In Powys, while the vaccination process has begun in earnest, I remain in constant contact with officials regarding the production of vaccines, their national distribution and their delivery locally.

We need to go faster and further with the programme. We have a mountain to climb over the coming days and weeks to overcome this Covid-19 pandemic, but finally there is a way out of this crisis.

This week will also see further business grants and support become available to businesses across Montgomeryshire.

The Welsh Government’s ERF Sector Specific Fund opens on 13th January, and is targeted at hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses as well as supply chain businesses, whose turnover will be materially impacted by more than 60 per cent with the current lockdown restrictions in Wales.

I would urge all businesses within Montgomeryshire to visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/ for advice on which grants and support you may be eligible for. Please do apply and let me know if you incur any problems.

The biggest concern outside of vaccinations I have presently is the apparent one billion pounds worth of Covid support funding the Welsh Government have remained unallocated.

This money is desperately needed across Montgomeryshire and Wales in order to support our businesses and communities.

I am working alongside Russell George MS to ensure Montgomeryshire receives this vital support at pace.

In closing, while 2020 was an incredibly difficult year for us all, it ended with some extremely good news in the form of the UK’s Trade Deal with the European Union.

The deal, which so many called upon on me as your MP to push for, and which numerous opponents said would not happen, features many key points which will directly support our local economy.

These include zero tariffs and quotas for businesses; maintaining our high labour and environmental standards; arrangements for airlines and hauliers to allow continued free-travel to and from the EU for work and holidays; and no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice or EU law over UK laws. I hope this will end the divisiveness of the past and provide closure for many who either wanted to leave or remain within the EU. Primarily I am delighted that at the forefront of this deal is our prioritisation of the agriculture sector, in placing prime importance on the promotion of our world leading farming standards and produce.