I was glad to see the Prime Minister launch the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission to tackle dementia this week. It is a cruel and debilitating illness which robs families of loved ones far too soon. Many of us – myself included – have had family experience of it and it is predicted that more than one million people will be living with dementia by 2025 with half as many more again by 2040. We can approach finding a solution with a degree of optimism: studies show that more than 40% of cases are potentially preventable. Much more needs to be done to increase diagnosis and early treatment before the onset of symptoms.
The new ten-year dementia plan will copy the success of the Covid Vaccine Taskforce, bringing together industry, scientists, the NHS and affected families to better understand the prognosis and treatment options. It will double dementia funding and recruit thousands of volunteers in a “Babs Army” for clinical trials and preventative therapies.
I would like to place on record my thanks to the Sussex Fire Service for their hard work over the last few weeks. From tacking grassland fires in Walberton to assisting elderly and vulnerable residents in the heat, they have served the public well. The challenges of prolonged low rainfall and high summer temperatures will continue and we must all stay vigilant.
I am proud of the way the residents of Arundel and South Downs been so generous in their support for Ukrainian refugees. The UK has made the largest offer of help to people fleeing conflict since 1945 and more than 104,000 Ukrainians have been given safe refugee in the UK. The Government continues to support refugees financially as well as to pay hosts a monthly allowance. More hosts are still needed, and it is a wonderful thing to do if you can. Please contact my office if you are interested.
