National Lockdown

The announcement of national lockdown is really tough news, and although it is a horrible judgement call to have to make, most people understand why it is needed.  

You can find the rules for the national lockdown here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home 

There are only so many beds and staff in our hospitals and the virus is now going around so quickly that without action the NHS would not be able to care for people. So, we all want the Norfolk and Norwich and other hospitals to be able to care for all patients, whether that's Covid or cancer or other operations. At the time of writing, there are currently 271 people with Covid in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital – that's nearly a quarter of its beds.  No one wants important other treatment to be cancelled or delayed. 

I also appreciate that this is a very worrying time for parents in Norwich. In his address to the nation last night, the Prime Minister said "...because we now have to do everything we possibly can to stop the spread of the disease, primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges across England must move to remote provision from tomorrow, except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.” 

Currently, Norfolk is grappling with the new variant of the disease, which spreads more quickly, and the Government have introduced additional safety measures in schools in response, including mass testing.   

I know that local teachers, the county council, and the government have been working incredibly hard and making every effort to keep schools open, because we all believe that education should be the utmost priority, but, under the severe pressure which the Prime Minister explained, they have now had to take the difficult decision to close school premises to most pupils. 

In my view schools should continue to be a top priority, and I will work with all concerned to help them re-open as soon as possible.  

The news that the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford vaccines have been approved for use in the UK is a significant step forward in beating the pandemic, and, while there is still some way to go, it provides fresh hope that we can beat this virus.  

The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) worked to put together a priority list for the vaccine roll-out. The work they have done will ensure that the vaccine will be rolled out to the priority groups, including care home residents and staff, people over 80 and health and care workers, then to the rest of the population in order of age and risk, including those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. I know that work is continuing to set out future priorities and I will be studying this carefully. 

You can read the JCVI full document that outlines the reasons for their priority recommendation here, in case it is of interest: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/priority-groups-for-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-advice-from-the-jcvi-2-december-2020/priority-groups-for-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-advice-from-the-jcvi-2-december-2020 

I think most people agree that these things must be done in priority order and it’s right to put the neediest first. 

Throughout this crisis, the Government’s economic priority has remained the same: to protect jobs.  

The Chancellor has already set out our economic package of support for businesses over the Winter, including monthly grants for closed businesses worth up to £3,000 per month, extending the furlough scheme to April and providing further SEISS (Self Employment Income Support Scheme) grants to support the self-employed to April.  

But given further national restrictions announced by the Prime Minister yesterday that will prevent further spread of the virus, Norwich firms will be able to get a one-off grant for closed businesses of up to £9,000, plus more discretionary funding that’s been provided to local authorities to support local businesses 

This support will help businesses get through this difficult period through to the Spring. The Government will take further decisions about our economic response to coronavirus and how best to support the economy, businesses, and jobs at the Budget on the 3rd March. 

Locally, there’s help for jobs too.  To find out about the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership's Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme please visit: https://newanglia.co.uk/grant/business-resilience-and-recovery-scheme/ 

And there is a lot of local support available for people and households.  

If you need support with accessing food, applying for a test and trace support payment, mental wellbeing, council tax relief, free school meals, isolating, vulnerable people, medicines and prescriptions, or information for adults who receive adult social care, please call Norfolk County Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 0344 800 8020 or visit: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/health-and-wellbeing/adults-health/coronavirus/community-support-for-people-at-home 

Finally, you can read the Prime Minister’s address in full here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/prime-ministers-address-to-the-nation-4-january-2021.   

I know this is tough news.  Many difficult things have to be balanced in this decision.  So, with a heavy heart I ask constituents once again to stick with it so we can get through faster.  Like all of my constituents, I want to see all our local businesses and families thriving again.  Thankfully, there is now light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccination programme underway.  

As ever, if I can help you with any matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.