

Press Releases 2021
Roger regularly issues press releases about current topics. We have included a selection of them here which we hope will be of interest to you.

March 19th 2021
The NHS in Kent and Medway is urging people aged 50 and over to book a Covid-19 vaccination while supplies are plentiful during the next week.
There are many appointments available until the end of March at large vaccination centres as well as at GP-led vaccination sites and pharmacies across the county.
Anyone who is aged 50 and over can now book their Covid-19 vaccine online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, or by calling 119

March 18th 2021
Sir Roger Gale backs Goals to level up North Thanet
Sir Roger Gale is supporting a new set of ambitious goals aimed at improving people’s life chances and access to careers in his North Thanet constituency .
The ‘Levelling Up Goals’ are the practical response to the agenda to level-up Britain in the recovery from

March 15th 2021
STATEMENT: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
I have received a number of communications about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is having its second reading in the House of Commons this week. Some of those communications have asked me to “vote against” or “block” the Bill..
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February 25th 2021
This morning I was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 on the proposed 1% pay rise for NHS workers.
I believe that, NHS staff have faced exceptional circumstances and deserve exceptional recognition of that - notwithstanding the pressures on the budget from elsewhere. Let the pay review body do its job and then accept their recommendation.

February 25th 2021
Stonehill Park - An Apology
On 15th February I participated in a radio interview with BBC Radio Kent about the use of costs of Manston airport as a lorry park. In response to a question about the Government`s payment for these services I indicated that the owners of the airport were not receiving payment and that the monies paid were due to Stone Hill Park under the agreement of sale between SHP and the current owners, RiverOak Strategic

February 22nd 2021
Lockdown Exit Plan
The four tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the COVID-19 roadmap (see picture below).
Decisions at each step will be made on the latest data and we will be cautious so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far.

February 11th 2021
If you are 70 or over and haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccination please book now
NHS teams in Kent and Medway are working hard to offer the first crucial dose of the vaccine to everyone in the top priority groups by the middle of February.
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February 10th 2021
Housing
At PMQs today I asked the Prime Minister that if he is the friend of the countryside will he announce an immediate moratorium on the use of all farm land for housing while the whole policy is reviewed?
It’s a great pity that the Prime Minister did not listen or answer my question.

February 3rd 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine update
Good contact with the vaccines Minister again this evening. We are getting there but if you or an elderly or vulnerable relative in North Thanet are in a priority group have not been offered a vaccination let me know by e-mail (https://members.parliament.uk/member/87/contact).
We will do our best to get it sorted.
We will need: A name, Address, A contact phone number.

January 22nd 2021
Covid Support
I have joined over 80 parliamentarians in calling for greater support for the aviation, travel and tourism industries following the recent closure of all travel corridors.

January 19th 2021
Covid Vaccine Supply
I am gravely concerned by the shortage of the supply of Covid 19 Vaccine to local Primary Care Networks in Kent.
It seems to me that to open large new centres that have to be supplied with vaccines and to promise to

January 16th 2021
Universal Credit
I have already expressed to Treasury Ministers my view that given the original justification for the uplift – which was always intended to be temporary and has already been extended – it should be extended further to recognise the ongoing effects of the pandemic upon incomes.

January 11th 2021
Good news that Rapid (Electric) Taxi Charging points have been installed in Margate (Station and Market Square), Birchington (Albion Road) and Herne Bay (Beach Street). Now we need to take advantage of KCC`s Parish EV project run by Connected Kent and bid for the second wave of Parish chargers. None in the first wave, sadly.

January 5th 2021
Business Support
New one-off grant to support retail, hospitality and leisure businesses forced to closed.
Retail, hospitality and leisure business premises forced to close can claim a one-off grant of up to £9,000. The one-off additional grant each business premises will receive depends on their rateable value:

January 4th 2021
National Lockdown
As we head into this national lockdown please see below the guidance that the government has published.

January 3rd 2021
Notwithstanding the Prime Minister’s view, expressed on Television this morning, that “schools are safe” I hold to the opinion that in tier 4 areas of infection a further post-Christmas breathing space for evaluation is needed before primary schools in East Kent re-open.
The decision taken before the spread of the new strain of Coronavirus was premature and even at this late stage must be re-assessed. I entirely endorse the view expressed by Kent County Council in their letter to the Secretary of State.

January 2nd 2021
We need consistency in a schools re-opening policy that reflects the spread of the pandemic as it is now and not as it was before Christmas. What is right for London has to be right for East Kent. Delay the start of term and re-assess the needs of both the education and health services.
Teachers’ lives matter.