My article in this week's Cornish Guardian

My article in this week’s Cornish Guardian newspaper unsurprisingly, once again, focuses on elements of the battle against coronavirus. It was as follows:

The announcement that the lockdown is to continue for at least another three weeks was expected. It emphasises the need to carry on being vigilant and to follow government advice about staying at home and practising social distancing.

I have an example about why social distancing is so important. A very good friend has been classed as vulnerable and he has been self-isolating at home. His brother, who is an NHS worker, has dropped off food to him on a couple of occasions. But this brother subsequently discovered that he had become infected with coronavirus. It was obvious that he must have had the virus when he visited my friend, but because they were careful to keep their distance from each other, it was not passed on. I am pleased to report that my friend’s brother is recovering well.

In previous columns, I have written about the significant range of measures that have been put in place by the UK Government, though it is inevitable that some issues and shortcomings will have arisen.

As a local councillor, I have received representations on a range of matters which include the lack of PPE for frontline staff in the NHS and other public services and care homes, as well as the need to increase the extent of testing to help eradicate Covid-19. In addition, I have been contacted about the furloughing initiative and financial support for small businesses.

In coming up with the ambitious Job Retention Scheme, which allows employers to furlough staff while the state pays 80% of their wages, the UK Government made a mistake in specifying that employees had to be on the PAYE system by 28th February. This left many people who had recently changed jobs ineligible for support. I welcome the news that the UK Government has listened and changed that date to 19th March, though this will not protect everyone. I hope MPs will look again to ensure that no-one, who could have been furloughed, misses out on this support.

Thousands of local businesses have also received grants to assist them in these difficult times, and Cornwall Council has been particularly effective at distributing the money. I have also received representations from some small enterprises who may not qualify for the support, while others are angry that second home owners (registered for non-domestic business rates) could get grants. At the same time, there is a lack of clarity about whether a local social enterprise I am involved with will get support. Again, I hope that those in authority will ensure that no genuine local business will lose out.

Please keep safe, one and all.