Coronavirus and the real difficulties it is creating for people continues to dominate my Inbox. Even though the Government has rolled out unprecedented measures to support small businesses, employees and the self-employed, as well as some changes to the welfare system, there are still many people falling through the gaps, and their situation is becoming more and more desperate.
Self-employed “summit”
The first week of the coronavirus lockdown, and many of us are having to get used to the new normal of staying at home and maintaining social distancing on the few occasions when we do go out. It can be a stressful and quite scary time, especially for those who live alone or who are especially vulnerable. Thank you to everyone who is doing so much to support them through this crisis.
A few weeks ago it would have been unimaginable to think that the whole world would pretty much be in lockdown, with borders closed, and people confined to their homes.
People from Brighton stranded overseas
I’m pleased the Government has listened in the last few days and lifted the arbitrary £30k cut off point, which threatened to leave millions of hardworking, self-employed people with nothing and having to rely on savings to get them through this crisis. There was a glaring unfairness to this, and I’m relieved the Chancellor recognised this.
Food parcels for the most vulnerable. The Government is working with supermarkets to ensure food parcels are delivered to the most vulnerable who are unable to leave their homes. Standardised food parcels will be delivered free to people’s homes for the next 12 weeks.
The coronavirus is having a huge impact around the world. In our country, it's leading to measures which none of us imagined we would ever see, including orders for people to self-isolate, real concerns over the ability of our public services to cope, major impacts on local businesses, and emergency legislation.
As your MP, I am taking action in 3 main ways:
Holding the Government and the health authorities to account
I’m receiving a large amount of correspondence from constituents about Coronavirus (Covid-19). I'm taking up the important points residents are raising with me with Government Ministers, Public Health England and NHS Leaders.
It's vital that the Government supports businesses and organisations in our community who will be affected by the pandemic, including guidance about social gatherings and the need to self-isolate.
Many local jobs and livelihoods are dependent on our local economy as well as the national economy, and I have taken every opportunity to press Ministers on the need for urgent action.
LATEST ACTION
My primary responsibility as your local MP is trying to make sure the Government is doing the right thing, whether this is in response to the virus itself, or in the support it offers to businesses and individuals affected by lockdowns.
LATEST ACTION
In recent weeks, I voted against the renewal of the Coronavirus Act because I do not believe it is justifiable to extend its draconian powers.
