This morning, Ed Davey MP launched his annual Christmas Card Competition with the theme of 'Care at Christmas', inviting school children and young people from across Kingston & Surbiton constituency to enter their designs.

During the health and jobs crises created by Coronavirus, it’s odd perhaps to write an article on planning. However, I must. As your MP, I have to alert you to this Government’s reforms to planning laws which could seriously damage your road, your neighbourhood and our Borough.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister announced new measures for England that will come into force next week and last for the next six months in response to the growing rate of coronavirus infections.

Along with many others, most of my focus during this awful pandemic has been trying to help people in our community. People who needed food. People stranded abroad. People whose businesses are being hit. People who have lost their job.

As we mark National Carers Week, I want to recognise the important role of carers in our society – and call on the Government to give them a better deal.

The coronavirus pandemic has helped us recognise the true heroes of our community. In that group of unsung heroes, this week we should focus on Britain’s 6.5 million carers without whom our NHS and social care system would have been overwhelmed.

National Carers Week is especially poignant for me, as much of my life has been spent caring for close relatives.