Results day is always a anxious time for students and I hope everyone here who received their grades on Tuesday got what they wanted to get them onto their next chapter. After another disrupted school year every student should be proud of the effort they have put in under the most challenging of circumstances.
Record numbers of students will be taking up university places in September with 91% on their first choice course. Universities have done a great job to facilitate this but the Government needs to make sure they are offering a full student experience and there is possibly still some work to do there. Of course many students will be going into fantastic apprenticeships, learning whilst working for amazing companies. I wish all young people starting a new adventure the very best after what has been such a tough year for them.
As with any other year, UCAS will support any student looking to find a university place through Clearing if they did not receive the grades they were hoping for, and there will also be the option of sitting exams this autumn for anyone looking to improve their grades. For any further information about Clearing or setting up student finance the SLC have set out the next steps for students here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/slc-offers-support-
It has also been great to see the continued uptake of the Covid vaccine in recent weeks and as of Tuesday more than 75% of adults in the UK were fully vaccinated. The recent data on the efficacy of the vaccines is very positive, with fewer than one in 1,000 infections now estimated to result in death - compared with one in 60 during last winter. With social distancing lifted we have seen a slight increase in case numbers in Somerset but their severity is very much less for the vaccinated.
After the much anticipated news that the dualling of the A303 will be starting here in September, I also very much welcome to see Highways England’s announcement of a new £200 million investment to improve roads across the South West over the next few months. This will fund vital infrastructure and boost connections and local economies, while motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will all benefit from road resurfacing and maintenance, the creation of cycle lanes, improved signage and landscaping.
A new broadband trial to target hard-to-reach homes has the potential to be of huge benefit for those of us in rural areas such as parts of Somerset. It will explore the efficacy of feeding fibre optic cables through water mains to connect homes, businesses and mobile masts, without the disruption caused by digging up roads and land. Getting fast broadband to all homes and businesses continues to be a priority here and although progress keeps being made new initiatives like this are very welcome.
Finally, we are now forecast a spell of dryer weather which will come as a relief to everyone but especially those affected by flooding issues. Some issues will be fixed quickly, some will take longer but I am working to bring local agencies together to make sure we are better prepared in the future.
As always, if I can be of help or if you would like to contact me on any of these issues please do call 01935314321 or email marcus.fysh.mp@parliament.uk