Last week in Parliament we had the third reading of the Trade Bill, about bringing trade arrangements we were party to as a member of the EU into UK law.

The NHS is already protected in all of these EU trade agreements, so I did not support the new amendment, Clause 17.

To reassure you, under this Government, the NHS will always be free at the point of delivery; its services and the price it pays for drugs will not be on the table in future trade talks.

This was made clear in the Conservative Party manifesto that I stood on in the 2019 general election; and the Government knows my strength of feeling on this.

Neither could the powers within the Bill be used to implement new free trade agreements with countries such as the United States. I’m afraid that suggestions otherwise, by opposition parties, are nothing more than political manoeuvring and scaremongering.

In other news, this week Government has launched an ambitious £2 billion plan for cycling and walking, with proposals for thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, cycle training for any child or adult; and a bike repair scheme.

This is not only a boost for our local bike shops but also offers practical help for those who might otherwise struggle to get cycling.

This coincides with Public Health England’s Better Health campaign and the reopening of our gyms, leisure centres and indoor swimming pools as we focus on getting fitter as a nation in coming months.

Lastly, Dorset Community Foundation has just announced its second funding round to support voluntary groups and charities who have been assisting some of our most vulnerable during the pandemic. I encourage local registered charities, CCGs, CICs and Social Enterprises to find out more at www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org

WEST DORSET MP CHRIS LODER