By Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South

It's excellent news that more than 17.5 million people have now had their first vaccine dose in the UK: more than 1 in 3 adults. And I'm pleased to hear that the UK Government wants to see rollout go further and faster in the coming weeks and plans to offer a vaccine to every adult by the end of July. Our NHS staff, Armed Forces servicepeople, volunteers and key workers all deserve tremendous praise for rolling out the vaccinations and for achieving such a high level of coverage so quickly.

Aside from the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Wales-wide lockdown, this month has held significant challenges for Clwyd South residents in other respects. On Saturday 23rd January, I made a series of socially distanced visits along with local County and Community Councillors to speak with residents in Pontfadog in the Ceiriog Valley, Bangor-on-Dee and New Broughton and see for myself the awful effects of flooding on homes. They told me about the dedication and kindness of the Emergency Services, Wrexham Council staff, Flood Wardens, Natural Resources Wales, the Police, their local Community and County Councillors, churches, schools, family and neighbours in coming to their rescue during and after the floods.

This month I also took part in a series of virtual events to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), including the Wrexham HMD event on Friday 22nd January organised by AVOW – the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham – and the UK Commemorative Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2021 on 27th January.

On 7th January 2021, I met Nancy Kelley, the Chief Executive of Stonewall, via Zoom to discuss the importance of LGBT-inclusive education so that every young person can feel accepted, included, and safe. As well as ending the damaging practice of 'conversion therapy' both of which are vitally important to give every young person the best educational experience.

I also recently welcomed the announcement that Mondelēz International, makers of Cadbury Dairy Milk, Belvita, Maynard's Bassetts and OREO have announced plans to invest £15 million into the UK, at its Bournville site, which is supported by its factory in Chirk, where cocoa beans are processed and fresh milk is added. I welcome this investment and I'm proud to see Chirk and Clwyd South contributing to the success of a much-loved British brand and the production of the nation's favourite chocolate bar.

Finally, I was delighted to be elected as Chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Performing Arts Education and Training. This is a cause very close to my heart as an amateur musician and, before I became an MP, as Chairman of the Holroyd Community Theatre near Chirk, and as a Trustee of Mid Wales Opera and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. I also set up the charity Concertina – Music for the Elderly which provides live music in care homes and day centres across Wales and England. Covid-19 has impacted the performing arts and creative industries very seriously, so I'm keen that we work as a group to examine the issues facing industry professionals at this critical time.

I've recently started sending out a monthly e-newsletter so constituents can read more about my activities in Clwyd South and Westminster. If you'd like to start receiving this monthly e-newsletter, you can sign up using the following link: www.simonbaynes.co.uk/sign-simons-e-newsletter.

As Clwyd South's MP, I am always here to provide advice and support. If you're a Clwyd South constituent, you can contact me and my team at any time by email on simon.baynes.mp@parliament.uk. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if there's anything I can do to help you.