The Frome MP writes:

The delay to the planned 21st June easing of Covid restrictions is, to my mind, something of a disaster for health, mental health, lives, businesses and livelihoods here in Frome and further afield. This is particularly sad news for the Mendip district, where public spirit and resolve has kept coronavirus cases low, with just nine infections reported in the most recent week.

So I am opposing the extension of restrictions. Keeping businesses shut and cancelling events, even just for a few additional weeks, will do untold harm. The economic, social and health reverberations of this decision will be felt for years to come. I made my position clear in a question to the Leader of the House of Commons last week: https://www.davidwarburton.org.uk/news/21st-june-roadmap

I'm relieved, though, that the cap on numbers at weddings has been lifted. The Frome area has so many fabulous and popular wedding venues, and I've been in touch with far too many couples who are deeply anxious and frustrated at having, in many cases, to repeatedly postpone or cancel their weddings. Having made representations to Government, I'm delighted there is now greater scope for couples wishing to tie the knot, though I'm acutely aware that many wedding activities are still not allowed. I'll continue to push for greater freedoms here, both for couples and of course the wider wedding industry.

Last week, politicians, journalists, advisors and a not a small number of police no doubt enjoyed the glorious sights of Somerset as they whizzed through our county en route to the G7 Summit in Cornwall. For the first time in recent memory, the eyes of the world were on the West Country, and it was great to see some real progress being made, not only on the pledge to deliver one billion vaccines to poorer nations, but also on global efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

G7 leaders committed to a 'green revolution' by reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a pledge already firmly established by our own Government. Equally welcome was the pledge to raise £70 billion a year to help developing countries cut emissions. This marvellous display of global environmental leadership – a deal brokered over Cornish cream teas on the beach – cements the UK's place as a world leader on environmental issues. After all, the UK has decarbonised faster than any other rich country – cutting carbon emissions by 44% since the 1990s.

And closer to home, since becoming an MP, I've been working to protect the natural environment that makes our area so unique. We're surrounded by an astonishing environmental legacy, and it's our duty to preserve and maintain this heritage. And, no surprise, Frome leads the way on environmental protection. The Town Council has declared a climate emergency and committed to an ambitious plan to make the town carbon neutral by 2030. Once again, not so small Frome is making a not so small impact.

Aside from the environment, it's great to see members of the Frome community recognised for their remarkable public spirit, which the town is known for. I was delighted to see Active and in Touch – a Frome charity offering friendship and support to those who are lonely or isolated – honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Active and in Touch volunteers have been doing their fantastic work for 10 years now, and particularly during the pandemic. This Loneliness Awareness Week, I'd like to thank the whole team for everything they do. And they deserve particular praise for coping with a sausage breakfast I made them some years ago. I'll be back…

What's more, one of Frome's homegrown businesses has also been awarded the Queen's Awards for Enterprise, recognising outstanding achievement in international trade. SkyDemon's VFR flight-planning and navigation software is among the best in the world, so they are enormously deserving of this prestigious award. It again highlights the leadership, strength of innovation and creativity which buzzes so conspicuously around the town.