Three-quarters of UK adults have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as our incredible vaccine rollout continues and we build up a wall of protection against the virus. Getting two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine is the key to enjoying freedoms safely, with the protection of two vaccines helping to save over 60,000 lives and severely weaken the link between COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths. Thanks to the fantastic work of the NHS, volunteers and everyone involved in the incredible vaccine rollout, three in four adults across the UK have now had both doses of the vaccine – a huge national achievement, which we should all be proud of. We urge everybody who has not yet received their second dose to do so as soon as possible to protect themselves, protect their loved ones and allow us all to safely return to normal life.
Last week we opened a consultation on plans for new Local Nature Recovery strategies across England, part of the measures we are taking in our landmark Environment Bill to protect our precious natural environment. Restoring our natural world and protecting it for future generations will bring a wealth of benefits to people, our environment, and our economy as we build back greener from the pandemic. That is why today we are opening a consultation on plans for Local Nature Recovery Strategies, which will allow local communities to work together to identify where we should take action for nature’s recovery as part of our national Nature Recovery Network. They will also identify opportunities to mitigate flood risk, plant trees or restore peatland for carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. These Local Nature Recovery Strategies will be a key part of our green recovery and help kick-start the creation of over a million acres of joined-up habitats that people can enjoy across the country.
The government is putting in place ambitious plans to take in more medical and dental students across England. We have recently expanded the number of medical training places by 1,500 and opened five new medical schools in under doctored areas. Last year the Government also lifted the cap to accommodate more additional medical and dental students on the back of the unprecedented demand, and we are going to go further in recognising the efforts students have put in achieving their A level grades. We are pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Social Care will provide new funding to expand medical and dentistry university places for the 2021/22 academic year for UK students who have achieved the required grades and who have met the conditions of their offer and hold a firm or insurance offer at a medical or dental school in England. This will be a welcome development in the future for constituencies like North Cornwall where we have historically faced a lack of dental provision. If you have just finished your A-Levels and would like to know more then please drop me an email via [email protected].
