Navendu’s Column in the Heatons Post - April 2020

This article was originally published in Heatons Post.

This has been an incredibly challenging period for everyone, and the coronavirus crisis continues to disrupt all aspects of our daily lives.

I’ve been working hard to ensure that my constituents receive the support they need, from those who are furloughed or now out of work, to those who are in the most vulnerable categories.

Frontline workers have been the real heroes in this crisis and I’ve written to the Health Secretary to ask him to increase both PPE provision and the testing of all key workers.

This must also be extended to carers, who have received far too little support, and I’ve contacted every care home across Stockport to offer my support to ensure they also receive adequate protection.

With the ongoing lockdown, individuals and small businesses are being hit particularly hard, and I recently co-signed a letter to the Chancellor calling for emergency Universal Basic Income, which would provide greater protection to the self-employed and those who are in precarious employment, while also supporting calls for action by banks on overdraft and credit charges for at least three months, to ease the burden for everyone.

Food banks are now under severe strain and I would kindly ask that, if you’re able to when you next visit your supermarket, you donate any items that you can to support the very neediest in our community.

We don’t know how much longer this will continue for, but I would urge you to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay home and limit time outside to essential journeys and exercise.

In the meantime, I will be doing all I can to maintain the pressure on the Government to support our community in this deeply troubling time.