Karen Bradley weekly column 22/3/21

article submitted by Staffordshire moorlands MP Karen Bradley

The pandemic means that for many of us our working lives have moved online, and that is true for much of my work, where meetings and surgery appointments are now conducted over Zoom. I was pleased to be interviewed live on Churnet Sound, a new radio station based in Biddulph, on their launch day. Congratulations to all concerned and all the very best for the future.

As we move towards a time where restrictions will hopefully be eased, I know how much we are all looking forward to seeing family and friends and visiting our favourite business in person. However, one of the sectors that still needs some clarity are wedding events businesses as guidance that was issued last week implied that bespoke dedicated wedding venues will not be able to hold weddings after 12 April and must wait until 17 May, leading to the bizarre conclusion that would be legal to marry in a gym, hairdresser or supermarket, but not in a dedicated wedding venue.

I immediately asked Ministers for clarity, raised a point of order in the chamber and also asked the Leader of the House during Business Questions for a response as well as a debate on the issue.

Following my interventions, I have been assured that Ministers are looking into this urgently and will be publishing guidance very shortly.

One another note, the vaccine rollout continues to move forward in the Moorlands and people over 50 can now book online. I was pleased to have my vaccine on Saturday and would like to thank all concerned- everything was very efficient, safe and well organised. I would encourage everyone to take up the vaccine when it is offered and continue to take advantage of the lateral flow testing facilities if you are out and about or have children at school.