Navendu’s Column in the Stockport Express - March 2021

Navendu Mishra’s article in the Stockport Express.

This week marked one year since the first national lockdown was announced, and it has been an incredibly challenging 12 months for so many of my constituents, with many losing loved ones, businesses and jobs. The end of the latest lockdown cannot come soon enough to help our community get back on its feet.

So it’s welcome news that the next stage in the Government’s lockdown roadmap takes place in the coming days, with six people from six different households allowed to meet outside, meaning the so-called ‘rule of six’ returns. 

As we emerge from lockdown and have more contact with one another it is vital that everyone who is offered the vaccine takes it as it will ensure that we do not leave ourselves vulnerable to another spike and further lockdown measures later in the year. As always, a huge thank you to our NHS workers, volunteers and Stockport Council staff for their efforts in rolling the vaccination programme out. We are all enormously grateful for their hard work.

Earlier this month I issued a statement about the controversial Weir Mill development. While I welcome plans to make the river accessible and believe it is important to see historic buildings brought back into use and protected, I share the concerns of Historic England, the Victorian Society and Stockport Heritage Trust, who all raised objections to the 14-storey tower ruining the beautiful view of the viaduct.

Last week I led a parliamentary debate ahead of World Water Day and called on the Government to reverse aid cuts to help ease the burden on those without access to water, while fixing our own privatised water system. 

It was my first time leading a Backbench Business Debate in Parliament, and I tabled it to highlight the devastation water shortages have on almost half the world’s population, the growing threat of climate change, and the impact recent UK aid cuts have had on funding.

In the UK, private water companies have had a big impact on the lives of my Stockport constituents, as well as all those that live in the Greater Manchester region, and I was critical of United Utilities for their track record of environmental damage and contaminating our region’s water supply.

Finally, if you require support on any issue please do not hesitate to contact me on team@navendumishra.co.uk.