Dear Chancellor,

We are writing to you as a group of MPs representing coastal constituencies. As the National Coastal Tourism Academy (NCTA) told the DCMS Select Committee on Tuesday 19 May 2020, the impact of Covid-19 will have a detrimental effect on constituencies like ours.

Representatives from Dorset Council, Dorset Police, Lulworth Estate and South West Ambulance Trust met this morning (Friday 5 June) to agree a joined up approach in managing visitor numbers to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door beaches ahead of the weekend.

Businesses that were not eligible for Government funding through previous COVID related financial support schemes are being invited to apply for business support funding through the discretionary grant fund, from lunchtime today, Monday 1 June until the closing date on 14 June.

The Government has updated its guidance admission to ticketed gardens and other outdoor spaces. We have therefore started the process of reopening some of our pay-for-entry gardens and outdoor estates in England and Northern Ireland for members and visitors.

The Sandbanks chain ferry is scheduled to resume service on Wednesday 17 June. The service is planned to commence at 07:00 hours from Sandbanks, with 3 crossings per hour in each direction as usual until 23:10 hours from Studland.

Sat (09-May)

- Blandford

- Dorchester

Sunday (10 May)

- Weymouth

- Bridport

Monday (11 May)

- Weymouth 

- Bridport

Tuesday (12 May)

- Weymouth

- Bridport

Wednesday (13 May)

- Dorchester

You may have seen the announcement made by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today (12 May) about a phased return to work, if not I thought it might be helpful to share the media release issued by the Department for Transport here. 

Dear Mr Drax,

The Royal British Legion has today announced a programme of activity to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8th May for people to participate in from home.

Coronavirus testing facilities

The Government’s aim is to make it easy, fast and simple for any essential worker who needs a test to get a test.