Please see below for a copy of my residents update.
If you would like to receive these then please email Anthony.mangnall.mp@parliament.uk
Dear all,
Please find below an updated brief on the current situation.
First and foremost, please follow the guidance outlined by the Prime Minister in his address to the nation last Monday. We should all be staying at home and only going out for the following reasons:
• To buy food or medicine as infrequently as possible
• To attend health appointments
• To take exercise once a day on your own or with people who live in your house
• or for essential work that cannot be done at home.
If you must go out, make sure you stay two metres (6ft) away from other people and wash your hands as soon as you get home.
Click here for further details
This advice is for your safety and those around you. Please follow it and encourage others to do the following.
Self- Employed Support
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP announced further measures designed to support the self-employed. For his full speech click here
The Chancellor has introduced a scheme to help those who are self-employed or in a partnership and have lost income due to Coronavirus. This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months.
This may be extended if needed.
You can find further details, including how to apply, on the scheme here
Business Support
The government has unleashed an unprecedent package of support for businesses at this time. Those measures include:
· a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs
· a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England
· small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief - contact your local authority for more information on this
· grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
· the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
· a new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
· the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme
I know that some groups and businesses fall through the gaps and feel as though the government has not provided. I am doing all I can to raise it with the correct departments.
This week I have been raising the point about insurers avoiding pay-outs, support for farmers and fishermen, the need for further business rate support and greater levels of help for the self-employed. I will continue to work with groups, individuals and businesses to represent their views in Westminster and Whitehall so please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you need anything raised.
Please click here for further information.
Hospitals and Healthcare Centres
Many emails have been received by my team and I regarding the status of our hospitals and health care centres. I am in regular contact with the Devon NHS Clinical Commission Group (CCG) as well Devon Partnership Trust. They are providing me with frequent updates, and I pleased and reassured that they are coping extremely well given the circumstances.
I remain concerned about access to health care facilities within rural communities and I am speaking with Devon County Council and the CCG to see what extra measures can brought in in ensure there is greater access residents in our communities. The Health Secretary and I have spoken frequently about the need to provide and he and I are working to do so.
Their message to you is to follow the government guidelines to help ease the pressure on the NHS and to contain the spread of Covid-19.
What is more they need your help so if you can, please sign up to be an NHS Volunteer Responder by clicking the following link.
Volunteers & Community Support Groups
Thank you for the great response from my last update offering to help and support within your local community.
Below we have outlined several local support groups that you can either volunteer to join or find support from. If I have missed any groups or you think I should be aware of then please do send them to me on Anthony.Mangnall.MP@parliament.uk
Brixham: Brixham Does Care 01803 857727 Brixham Food Bank 07873 164211
Kingsbridge: Kingsbridge and Saltstone Caring 01548 854588 Kingsbridge Food Bank 07593881633
Totnes: Totnes Caring 01803 865684 Totnes Food Bank 01803 840354 (needs referral)
South Brent: South Brent Caring 01364 700282
Strete: 01803 770225 – Volunteers in the local shop who can help with food deliveries and more
Ashprington and Tuckenhay Community Group: 07814 767 915
Citizens Advice Bureau South Hams: 0344 411 1444
Citizens Advice Bureau Torbay: 0300 330 9026
Supermarkets
Below are the timings that local supermarkets are offering to frontline staff, the elderly and vulnerable. Please share with those who are in need.
Second Homeowners and Tourists
I hear the complaints and concerns of those who have decided to travel across the country to their second homes.
I support the #ComeBackLaterCampaign which asks people to remain where they are and not to travel across the country potentially spreading Covid-19.
It is worth noting that the police issued national guidance about the new regulations on Thursday 26th March. While these will take a little time to come into force, they will have an impact on many of the concerns that have been raised over the last ten days. I have spoken to local police chiefs and I will be working alongside our Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez to ensure residents follow the rules.
Contacting me and Surgeries
My office remains open, but we are following guidelines and working from home. If you would like to see me or raise any concerns, please email me or call the number below to a book a surgery slot. We will conduct the meeting via video conferencing or telephone.
I end by thanking you for the support and roles you are taking within your communities. It has been fantastic to hear the many stories of help, support and comfort that you are providing from all across South Devon.
Please keep safe, follow the guidance and contact me if I can be of any help.
All the best,
Anthony