The Prime Minister has announced extensive measures for what are truly unprecedented times, and Warrington will need to come together with the rest of the country to beat this virus.
The single most important action we can take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. You should not leave the house, unless you are travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or if you are shopping for basic necessities, getting one form of exercise a day or for any medical need or to provide care or help to a vulnerable person.
I want to reassure you that the Government is following the science, introducing measures as and when they will be most effective and constantly reviewing its actions in the light of new evidence.
The priority is to protect life and make sure our NHS can cope with the peak.
I’m incredibly appreciative to everyone working in our NHS, particularly at our hospital, GPs and community nurses and those supporting in social care and who are continuing to visit the most vulnerable in society. Thanks also to key workers in schools, the police and those working in food supply sector and shops – we are indebted to you. I also want to thank those retired doctors and nurses who have chosen to return to work in our hospitals, you too are our NHS Heros!
Earlier this week the Health Secretary launched an appeal for volunteers to support the 1.5million people who are at most risk of Covid-19 and who have been told to isolate for the next 12 weeks. Early figures show that three people per second enlisted in the first 24 hours, I too have signed up so that I can help locally, delivering food parcels and being a friend on the phone. I’m encouraging others to do so through the website www.goodsamapp.org/nhs. The team at Warrington Borough Council are doing a fantastic job of co-ordinating these activities at a local level.
In the way that the Chancellor has backed employees, support for the self-employed is critical, and I am pushing for the Government to do more. Currently, we have relaxed the earnings rules under Universal Credit – meaning self-employed people can now access, Universal Credit at a rate that is equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees. We have also made it quicker and easier to access welfare payments, with those on contributory Employment and Support Allowance able to claim from day one.
There are a raft of other measures to support people and businesses which can be found on my website, but I can reassure the people of Warrington that we don’t want to leave anyone behind during this crisis, and we need to pull together as a community to get through it.
Much like everyone else, I am following the strong Government advice and my team is now working remotely, however we are still contactable through email and social media address, so please do get in touch via [email protected] and we will try to answer any questions you may have. I also have a dedicated section of my website with the latest Government updates and support for Warrington families and businesses - www.andycarter.org.uk/coronavirus.
