I recognise that the pandemic is causing hardship and the Government has made the UK one of the most generous of countries in trying to limit this through a number of schemes to help businesses and people. But jobs and businesses will be lost.

I have had meetings with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, our Head of Public Health, our NHS Regional Lead, Local officials, Ministers and have followed the Minutes of SAGE meetings. I keep in regular touch with our CCGs, the Chief Executives of our hospitals and the big local employers as well as many small businesses.

Prior to national restrictions, I was arguing for District Council areas to be put into the appropriate Tiers for their level of infection and taking account of the trend. At that time NHDC and EHDC both had levels which were below the important 100/100,000 level, but starting to rise.

However, during national restrictions the level of infections rose fast, as much as 50% a week and both Council areas went well over 100. Now the national restrictions have led to lower levels and a falling trend. North Hertfordshire has shown a result below 100 and East Herts is falling fast.

MPs have asked the Prime Minister for assurances about review, evidence and a further vote and I attach his letter in reply to MPs.

In these circumstances, I believe our area should be reviewed on 16th December with the hope we can then be downgraded to Tier 1. I am pressing Ministers and the NHS to prepare to review our area favourably at the first review. I am also arguing that our neighbouring areas are similar and that even the Eastern Region as a whole could be reconsidered.

The Regulations we are voting on are very likely to become law, because Labour is not opposing them, the majority of Conservatives will back the Government, including me, and the consequences of a Government defeat would be bad for Britain and its people. These Regulations are not amendable and so there would be no restrictions anywhere and a chaotic situation, if it was defeated. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines, better treatments being scaled up and mass testing for the cities. I hope areas can speedily move down the Tiers and emerge from this dreadful period. Working our way out of the Tiers together and with continuing Government support should give Britain the basis for a strong and speedy recovery in the New Year.