My family have been tenant farmers in West Dorset for almost 100 years – I grew up on the family farm and care deeply for animals.

Relentless in the pursuit of animal rights, I’ve been lobbying for my Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill. I’m delighted that my Bill completed its passage through the House of Commons last Friday, March 12. The Bill now goes to the House of Lords and it’s a race against time to ensure it becomes law before the summer recess.

At the time of writing, more than 23 million people across the UK have received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine. As of March 7, 48 per cent of West Dorset constituents had received their first dose – that’s the sixth highest proportion of any constituency in England! The targeted approach means that 92% of over-60s in Dorset have received their first dose, paving Dorset’s route out of lockdown which began with the return to school last week.

A couple of weeks ago, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a historic and creative Budget providing more than £407 billions of support for families, jobs and businesses across the country and here in West Dorset. Whilst I am nervous about such high levels of public borrowing, much of this support will be of great benefit to people in West Dorset. The Government has extended furlough to the end of September, provided two further grants for the self-employed along with extended eligibility for these grants, a six-month extension to the Universal Credit uplift, and various new grants and loans for businesses. Particularly important for West Dorset’s tourism sector – which accounts for more than 6,000 jobs – the Chancellor has frozen alcohol duties, extended of the business rates holiday, and continued the reduced rate of VAT for hospitality. This will help get pubs, brewers and cafes back on their feet!

The Dorset Local Plan will shape development in our county until 2038. Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation which closed on Monday. I deeply hope that Dorset Council will take account of feedback from the public and amend the plan, prioritising modest and dispersed development to sustain our communities, rather than mass development on the outskirts of our towns.

To receive my latest updates from Westminster and West Dorset, please sign up to my newsletter at chrisloder.co.uk.

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