Dear Constituent,

Thank you for your recent correspondence and indeed your stalwart efforts in combatting the impact of the coronavirus.

Constituents are understandably disappointed that all of Lincolnshire is being included in the new Tier 3 of restrictions, when infection spikes have been highly localised. This is particularly disappointing as most of Lincolnshire has a lower rate of infection than some parts of London boroughs that are in Tier 2.

I'm instinctively against Gainsborough facing Tier 3 measures and believe it would make much more sense to impose tiers at the district level rather than county-wide.

First and foremost we must do what we can to protect the vulnerable and we must get West Lindsey out of Tier 3 as soon as possible.

Prior to the 1 December vote, I attended an urgent meeting with the Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock, with two other Lincolnshire MPs.  The Minister guaranteed that areas within Lincolnshire will be assessed on their own merit every two weeks so the tier level can be reviewed.

I will bear in mind the views you have raised and continue to firmly scrutinise and challenge Government on behalf of the people of Gainsborough, as I have for some 37 years.

If you have further concerns about the Covid-19 restrictions or with anything else, do please get in touch with me directly and I will see how I can help.

Thank you again for taking the time to keep me informed.

Yours,

EDWARD LEIGH