Karen Bradley: In this week's column, the Moorlands MP has shared her thoughts on the latest goings on locally and in Parliament. Read what she had to say below...

After what has been an eventful week in Parliament, I would like to thank the many local residents who have written in with their thoughts and opinions following the events in Parliament last week and the subsequent leadership election. This country is facing severe economic challenges and our full focus must be on uniting as a Party and delivering stability for the British people. 

On a more local note, I was pleased to learn that the Biddulph Local People's Group have recently received £9,996.00 from the National Lottery for the Biddulph Local People's Project. The group will use the funding to deliver therapeutic activities for people who are living with stress anxiety and mental health issues. This will improve levels of mental health and wellbeing.

It is great to see how many community groups have benefitted from National Lottery funding. Groups such as the Biddulph Local People's Group are inspirational in the great work and support they provide to local people and their community, helping to bring people together once again and build community spirit.

The funding is being distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players. National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

I would also like to thank all the National Lottery players for their role in raising much-needed funding for our local charities and community groups. I welcome these grants and would like to encourage more local good causes to apply for what could be a lifeline, as local people and communities rebuild and recover from the pandemic.