LEADING public-health bodies are demanding that the government provides greater financial support to people on low incomes who are self-isolating to ensure that infection-control measures are effective.
Today the British Medical Association, Scottish Academy of Royal Colleges, Doctors Association UK and other public-health bodies wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson raising concerns that too many people in precarious and low-wage employment cannot afford to miss work and self-isolate with the financial support currently offered.
They warned that unless people are given more financial support, infection control will continue to be undermined.
The signatories welcomed steps made during the pandemic to remove qualifying periods for statutory sick pay (SSP) and provide £500 for eligible low-income households to self-isolate but said that Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s winter spending review in November was a missed opportunity to build on these provisions.
writes Powys County Council leader Rosemarie Harris. The year started with a bang as the county suffered a series of violent storms bringing flooding and damage to a number of communities, the damage was widespread but Crickhowell, Welshpool, Ystradgynlais and Knighton were particularly hard hit. The main clean-up operations were barely over – some will take years to recover - when coronavirus hit and our world has not been the same since. Currently we are all preparing for a very different Christmas with some relaxation of restrictions but still a world-away from the usual festive celebrations. It will be difficult for many and there will be difficult decision as families decide who they will ‘bubble’ with during the Christmas period.
Extra help for rough sleepers with drug and alcohol dependency
Rough sleepers across England will receive extra support to help them recover from drug and alcohol misuse.
From:
14 December 2020
£23 million investment for 43 areas this year, boosted by a further £52 million in 2021 to 2022
Initial £10 million funding confirmed to provide extra accommodation for rough sleepers throughout winter
Rough sleepers across England will receive extra support to help them recover from drug and alcohol misuse, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, Kelly Tolhurst MP announced today (14 December 2020).
Forty-three areas across England will receive support from a £23 million government fund designed for those with drug and alcohol support needs to get the help they need to rebuild their lives. The programme will be boosted by a further £52 million in 2021 to 2022.