Following last week’s GCSE results, it was good to see the
proportion of the highest GCSE grades awarded in England this year has jumped
by 26%, following the decision to rely on with school-assessed grades to score
the estimated marks.
While we are yet to see the breakdown on Cornwall’s results
as of my writing this column, I hope they will see a similar trend.
As per my column in last week’s paper, if you have any
concerns with marks given, please do contact me on the details below and I will
do my best to assist.
In more good news for education last week, it was confirmed
that Truro and Penwith College will be benefiting from £1,283,707 of Government
funding as part of a national £200million boost for colleges to repair and
refurbish buildings from September.
The cash boost forms part of a major £1.5bn investment that
will transform colleges over the next 5 years. This initial investment is being
fast-tracked so colleges can kick-start work this year and so students and
staff will benefit a least a year earlier than originally planned.
This week sees the final days of the Eat Out to Help Out
Scheme, which has benefited dozens of restaurants and cafes across Truro and
Falmouth, with discounted eating from Mondays to Wednesdays throughout August. I
have heard many experiences of some of our excellent eateries being completely
booked out through the past month on the days when the scheme has been running,
and I am pleased this has both kick-started our hospitality economy while also
giving people affordable meals after a time of difficulty.
Last week I was also pleased to see that Cornwall has been
selected as one of five pilot areas nationally that will test how the recovery
of England’s landscapes and wildlife can be driven locally.
Cornwall will receive a share of £1 million of funding to
set up ‘Local Nature Recovery Strategies’ (LNRS) pilot studies to help map the
most valuable sites and habitats for wildlife in their area and identify where
nature can be restored. This could see the creation of wildflower habitat for
pollinators, green spaces for people, or new woodlands and wetlands which are
important for both healthy communities and in the fight against climate change.
With our vast array of different habitats Cornwall is a
natural choice to be a pilot, and I look forward to seeing what Cornwall
Council, along with local stakeholders can achieve with their share of this
funding.
Finally, the latest figures released by the Office of
National Statistics last week showed that the number of coronavirus cases
confirmed in Cornwall has nearly halved in the last week of tests, dropping
from 14 to 8, more evidence that we are winning the fight against COVID-19 and
my thanks continue to go to all those involved in the frontline battle against
this virus.
As ever, my team and I are here to help and if you need support
with anything, please get in touch with me at
Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, or on 01872 229698 or you can write to me
by letter at Lemon Chapel, William Street, Truro, TR1 2ED.
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