Milton News has received the message below from Lucy Frazer MP. To see how Lucy has voted when representing you, visit: www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25399/lucy_frazer/south_east_cambridgeshire.

As we look to the end of 2020, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on some of the work I have been doing over the course of this year.

2020 has been a challenging year for all of us and I want to pay tribute to everyone who has helped and supported their local communities and vulnerable individuals during the pandemic. The response to the public health challenge of Coronavirus saw us pulling together, ensuring that our communities across Cambridgeshire kept connected. And I know that our villages are continuing their great support to others. I was pleased to safely meet with local volunteers in person across the constituency during the summer months – and to take part in regular Zoom updates with local leaders and stakeholders.

The Coronavirus pandemic brought an economic shock to the UK like we have not experienced before, but I am encouraged to see that we are taking steps towards a positive recovery. By the summer, in our area 14,700 furloughed workers were supported through the Job Retention Scheme and 4,600 self-employed individuals were given help through the Self-Employment Income Scheme. 1,687 local businesses received a cash grant of up to £25,000 thanks to the local authority discretionary grant fund. Whilst these measures have brought relief to both employers and employees, it is important that we continue to support local businesses as we look to the future.

Whilst the government is focused on dealing with the pandemic, other projects are still progressing and I continue to work to improve our area.

I welcome the announcement that the Department of Health has awarded Cambridge University hospitals £1.9 million to expedite the complete redevelopment of Addenbrooke’s hospital, this will include a new children’s hospital. And at the beginning of October, the Prime Minister also announced the building of a new cancer hospital. Thousands of residents across Cambridgeshire rely upon Addenbrooke’s Hospital for their medical care, and population growth makes its complete replacement with a brand new hospital in the years ahead a necessity.

I have campaigned hard for continued investment in NHS services in our local area, and the construction of a new hospital has my complete support.

This development is further evidence of the government’s commitment to this scheme, and the NHS more generally. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure that Cambridgeshire sustains its reputation for world-class medical services.

Furthermore for some I have been pressing for improvements to the A10 and spearheaded the campaign for its dualling. Some progress has been made on this project. There are eight options for the project, and the Mayor and Combined Authority held a virtual consultation during the summer to collect feedback from residents and road users. I have continued to press the Treasury on the importance of this work.

Education has also been a key campaign pledge since I was first elected. Year after year I have taken heads to Westminster to meet the Education Secretary. As a result of much campaigning with teachers and others the 2021-2022 academic year will see per pupil funding increase by an average of 4%. The National Funding Formula allocations reflect a 60% increase in the total additional funding for small and remote schools- and this is good news for small schools in our area who can attract further funding due to their status. I remain proud that East Cambridgeshire is one of 12 Opportunity Areas that enables the region to unlock additional funding.

I have engaged with stakeholders and residents regarding the Anglia Water treatment plant application. I have discussed with Anglian Water their plans, and I will continue to meet with representatives from the villages closest to the three potential sites as the process continues.

I continue to hold regular surgeries and am here to help with any issues you may have. Constituents who would like help with a problem or want to arrange a telephone call or a virtual meeting should contact me by emailing lucy.frazer.mp@parliament.uk or calling 020 7219 5082.

To keep up with my work follow me on Facebook and Twitter or visit my website – www.lucyfrazer.org.uk.

Best wishes for the rest of 2020 and I hope that 2021 will prove to be a better year for us all.