Laura Trott is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Sevenoaks & Swanley and was first elected in December 2019. She is here to help the community, regardless of how you voted, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with her at laura.trott.mp@parliament.uk.
“Last month saw the reopening of outdoor sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses, sports pitches, and courts. And, given its importance to our health and wellbeing, this signals a major step on the nation’s road to recovery.
For many the measures will come as a massive relief after a challenging few months and I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting some of our much-loved local sports sites including Knole Park Golf Club and the Sevenoaks Lawn Tennis Club over the last few weeks. It is truly heart-warming to see the smiling faces of the visitors and the return of friendly competition.
I was particularly pleased to see youth sport a top priority in the Prime Minister’s roadmap. The Government is now urging everyone to use the reopening of sport facilities to help children follow the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance and aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, with adults aiming for at least 150 minutes, or two and a half hours, a week.
This is an initiative I fully support. Over the past year schools and parents have worked incredibly hard to prioritise the importance of physical activity. Children have responded to parents becoming PE teachers, and to campaigns such as PE with Joe and Sport England’s ‘Join the Movement’.
However, the reality is that activity levels have still dropped in lockdown.
That’s why outdoor grassroots sport reopening is so important. While some of you have waited patiently for the moment you can get back to playing the sports you love, I also hope others will use this opportunity to take up a new sport. No matter what age or ability, there will be a sport out there for you.
Exercise and outdoor sports are well documented to reduce individuals’ risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer by up to 50% and lower risk of early death by up to 30%. The reopening of the outdoors sports sector will help reduce the impacts of these debilitating diseases and in turn reduce pressure on the NHS. Physical activity is also known to improve health outcomes which can include improving mental health through better sleep, happier moods, and managing stress and anxiety.
The long wait is over and to celebrate I urge everyone to join me in lacing up their trainers, getting outside and enjoying all the positive benefits sport can bring. Now is our opportunity to build back fitter, healthier and happier from this pandemic. Sport and physical activity must be at the heart of our national recovery and we all now have a role to play so that everyone can experience the benefits being active brings.”
Local MP launches petition to rebuild Orchard Academy
Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, has today launched a petition for Orchards Academy to be rebuilt as part of the Government’s ‘School Rebuilding Programme’.
Laura Trott MP has been working closely with Orchards Academy since her election to secure Government support. Over the last year she has asked both the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary about the funding in the chamber, and recently has held separate follow up meetings with both Education Minister Baroness Berridge and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, to help raise the case of Orchards Academy.
Speaking at the launch, Laura Trott MP said: “I know from my recent visits just how urgently repair is needed. Helping our schools and our teachers is an absolute priority for me, and I will continue to lead the campaign locally to ensure this funding for Orchards Academy is secured. This petition will show the strength of public support that there is locally to rebuild this excellent school.”
Natalie Willbourn, Executive Headteacher at Orchards Academy said: “We are very grateful for Laura Trott’s commitment and support to this project. The school and local community welcome any interest and look forward to what we hope will be a successful outcome for Orchards Academy and Swanley.”
Once everyone has had the opportunity to sign up, Laura will present the petition to the House of Commons. If you would like to show your support, please visit https://www.lauratrott.org.uk/rebuild-orchards-academy, to sign the petition.
• The School Rebuilding Programme, announced in June 2020, is part of an ambitious ten-year programme that will transform 500 school buildings across England, so every child has access to the best learning environment.
• Backed by £1 billion in government funding, the programme will rebuild and repair primary, secondary, specialist as well as sixth form colleges around England, with the majority of these projects are expected to be completed within three to five years.
