Many people believe that the job of a Member of Parliament is all about standing up and speaking in the Chamber of the House of Commons and voting every now and then.

Whilst that is a major part of the role there’s lots that we do in the background that is rarely seen.

One of my roles is as a member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. Select committees are an important way for back bench MPs to scrutinise the work of a Government Department and the area that it is responsible for.

We meet each week that parliament is sitting and take evidence from witnesses about their area of expertise, the work we do will regularly shape and influence Government policy.

This week we questioned the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock.

Questioning in any select committee is usually far less confrontational than in the chamber and because of the added time available it is much more of a conversation.

This week I asked the Secretary of State about the risks the NHS faces as we roll out Covid-19 vaccinations, you can see our session in this video.

Aside from that this week I have:

• Arranged and held a briefing from health leads from the CCG for Leicestershire MPs about the rollout of vaccines in the county and work through the good progress of the programme.
• Took part in a briefing for MPs from education ministers about their Department’s plans for schools during lockdown,
• And asked the Secretary of State for Education about the robustness of his replacement system for GCSEs and A Levels – you can see his answer here: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/education-questions
• Held a virtual constituents surgery discussing a wide and varied range of concerns.
• Attended a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the current lockdown, vaccines and financial support.
• Attended briefings to ask questions of the Vaccine Minister and Health Ministers on how the scheme is fairing, and fed in points about future concerns.
• Met with senior leaders and governors at Hastings High School in Burbage to talk about their plans for the future.
• Welcomed the decision of the Secretary of State for Communities to lower housing numbers in our borough, something that I have continually lobbied ministers on – you can read more here: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/dr-luke-welcomes-plans-housing-number-rethink