I’m afraid this week I’m not able to write a particularly exciting update. My team and I have been working remotely and very much following the Government’s advice to #StayHomeSaveLives. That doesn’t mean we’ve been any less busy though, in fact without travel time and watercooler moments we’ve probably been working harder than ever!

This week I have:

• Ensured the safe return of constituents from Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, and Indonesia – still more to go unfortunately!
• Spoke with West Leicestershire CCG and University Hospitals Leicester to go through their plans for dealing with capacity and the sick.
• Spoken with Ministers about the need for outstanding palliative care.
• Asked the Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about designating certain zoo staff as key workers.
• Helped local surgeries and care companies access PPE as they continue to carry out their vital work helping vulnerable people.
• Listened to constituents feedback and concerns about the support available to businesses and fed this in to the Treasury.
• Wrote to the Planning Minister to ask about the possibility of a moratorium on new planning applications during the Coronavirus outbreak.
• Appeared on Sky News to talk about the need for more testing.
• Continued to update my Facebook page and website with the latest updates on our fight against Coronavirus.
• Asked further questions to Ministers about a range of Covid 19 related issues including support for the charitable sector; mental health provision for care workers; sentencing for perpetrators of Covid 19 related fraud; the robustness of broadband to support increased levels of home usage; and, involving gyms and personal trainers to keep everyone fit and healthy.
• Advised local people on how to access the different financial help schemes which are available.
• Raised issues around the business scheme and furloughing employees at the daily Cabinet Office teleconference
• Raise the issue of dealing with social unrest and planning with the Chief of Leicestershire Police
• Connected local companies directly into the Governments testing, hospital building and support effort
• On Thursday night took to my doorstep to #ClapForTheNHS
• Taught the puppy to sit before getting food!