I am writing this month’s column in my spare bedroom at home in Honley which has become my Parliamentary office over the past month of working remotely during this Coronavirus crisis. I am wearing a suit and tie today as later on I’ll have my first Parliamentary Question in the new look Virtual Parliament via Zoom (online conferencing). I’ll be questioning the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rt Hon Michael Gove later about local PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) supplies and thanking the volunteers at McNair shirts in Slaithwaite who have been making gowns for Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Me and my team continue to work remotely helping hundreds of constituents with a huge range of issues, everything from helping get dozens of constituents stranded abroad get home safely, helping businesses and employees access financial support to helping vulnerable local people get the supplies they need.
Every day for the past few weeks I’ve been on a daily conference call with the Cabinet Office Minister raising dozens of local concerns including PPE for our frontline NHS staff and care home staff, testing in our community, safety guidance for those still working and much more. It’s an excellent opportunity to feedback local issues and experiences to help influence Government policy. I lobbied Ministers about support for our local charities after having had a long discussion with the boss of the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. I’m pleased a £750m funding package has now been introduced to support hospices, charities and community groups.
I’ve had a series of conference calls with Government Ministers:
Health Minister – I raised the challenge of delivering PPE supplies, testing for Covid 19 and emergency dentistry. As we heard from the Chief of the Defence staff last week, the army is now having to help deliver PPE supplies to 58,000 locations around the country, a huge logistical challenge.
Treasury Minister – I asked for more support for the self-employed, children’s nurseries and new starter furloughs. The Chancellor has already introduced the most extensive financial support packages for businesses and employees in any of the major economies. Kirklees Council have already paid out over £60 million of the Government Support Grants to thousands of local businesses. This week the Chancellor announced the new Bounce Back Loans for businesses which will provide up to £50,000 with the Government paying the first year’s interest.
Police and Crime Commissioner - we discussed policing social distancing and concerns about domestic violence.
Communities Minister Secretary of State - I raised concerns about the Council’s ban on mourners at funerals and cremations, which I’m pleased to say has now been reviewed and close family members can now attend as per Government guidance. I’ve lobbied to reopen recycling centres safely to help combat the scourge of fly tipping and I raised the issue of major planning applications during the restrictions – the public must still be able to have their say.
Tourism Minister – I raised support for seasonal tourism businesses including B&Bs, holiday lets and holiday parks. I also lobbied for financial support for rugby league clubs.
I’ve also been in regular contact with local Hospital bosses, GPs and the local Director of Public Health about testing, PPE and emergency dental care.
This is an unprecedented crisis, none of us have been through anything like this before, thank you for following the Government guidelines, thank you for your kindness to your neighbours and the fantastic community spirit being shown across our area. I’ve been looking out for my vulnerable neighbours and I know many of you have too.
Thank you to our wonderful NHS staff, our care home teams, all emergency services, our posties, our delivery drivers, the refuse collectors, our farmers and our shopkeepers, it’s been an amazing team effort.
As the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday “I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and to risk a second major outbreak and huge loss of life and the overwhelming of the NHS.” Personally I hope that if we continue to follow the guidance and we continue to see the number of new infections reduce, we can soon see some easing of the restrictions. However it’s clear that we will be in a “new normal” as people are calling it where face coverings and social distancing continue for some time to come.
Please stay safe, please think of others and please heed the guidance being given. We will get through this.
Please get in touch if you need my help with any issue. My phone number for my new constituency office, which is being answered remotely, is 01484 443975 or you can email me at [email protected]
