Whilst COVID-19 continues to consume our lives and despite Parliament being “virtual “, important legislation is still being debated, voted for and progressed.

This week I will have voted for a Bill which will see the end of free movement and uncontrolled immigration. It is a landmark Bill which shows that this government has clearly been listening and is committed to deliver on its manifesto, as I am too.

Stourbridge voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union, and this is a major part of delivering on it. We have left the EU and for the first time in 40 years we are progressing a Bill which will see the end to free movement and take back control of our borders. It re-establishes democratic control and continues to deliver on the referendum.

I also spoke this week during a statement to the House by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock. I thanked him and his team for their incredible hard work and determination to get us through this crisis. More importantly, I asked him to join me in thanking some of the amazing groups and organisations in Stourbridge- such as the staff at Russells Hall Hospital, Mary Stevens Hospice, our care homes, community pharmacists and volunteers, and all those unsung heroes who continue to work day in and day out saving lives and supporting the most vulnerable.

This week is Mental Health Awareness week – timely, as whilst COVID-19 has brought its many challenges, its impact on our mental health is of concern as we endure lockdown. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has changed our world order, temporarily transforming our norms into new and unfamiliar ones. I know I have found it difficult to adjust to working at home, being separated from my family, friends and from a community that I am here to serve. Which is why this week is an important week and reminds us of how important it is to look after not just our physical health, but our mental health too. It reminds us that it is good to talk. COVID-19 will be with us for some time and so please do take the time to reach out to others and don’t forget to be kind to yourself too.

What I am incredibly proud of is that Stourbridge has faced the challenge of COVID-19 united in a concerted effort to defeat this invisible killer, a community full of unsung heroes all playing their part to defeat it, not forgetting those who remained on the frontline at their own risk. We are now looking at the recovery from COVID-19, there is some light at the end of all this, but we must move slowly and at the right time.

Thank you to every single one of you who are following the guidelines and by doing so you are saving lives.

My team and I remain available to help with any issues that you may have. You can contact my office on 01384 370 574, or email me at suzanne.webb.mp@parliament.uk.