This page has been designed to provide up-to-date information, guidance and advice with regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Understandably, many people are very concerned about Covid-19 (Coronavirus). This is my absolute priority at this time, and issues and queries related to Covid-19 are being dealt with first in my office.
If you have an urgent personal issue related to Covid-19, I will deal with it as quickly as possible: please include a telephone number in case my team needs to call you.
I would like to reassure you that the government is doing everything it can faced with this crisis, with decisions made based on the best possible advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser.
There are strict new rules to try to prevent the spread of Covid-19: you MUST stay at home or you could be fined.
There are only 4 exceptions:
1) shopping for basic necessities, like food and medicine
2) exercise - once a day
3) medical need, or caring for a vulnerable person
4) travel to work, if it is impossible to work from home
Full details are here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
Helpful Information:
General advice
The Government have put all the latest information about COVID-19 coronavirus in one place: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
An excellent source for up-to-date and accurate advice is: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.
Constituents Overseas
I have received several emails from constituents who are currently overseas, I will forward any email to the Foreign Office. However, there is a helpline for British nationals overseas needing consular assistance: 020 7008 1500.
Helplines
Universal Credit 0800 328 5644
School closures 0800 046 8687
HMRC 0800 328 5644
TV licences for over 75s
The BBC has announced that it will delay charging those over 75 for TV licences until August.
Over 70s
Those aged over 70 are one of the higher risk groups identified by the NHS and the Chief Medical Officer, further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people