There is only one issue to address in this regular update to residents in Rugby and Bulkington.

Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated staff of our NHS. They are putting themselves at risk everyday to make sure that those who need treatment get it. I know how much support there is for the NHS in Rugby and Bulkington and that was demonstrated as the constituency clapped for the NHS last night.

We must all follow the Government's advice to help support our NHS and save lives. You should only leave your house for one of the following reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
• One form of exercise a day – for example, a run, walk or cycle – alone or with members of your immediate household.
• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
• Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

Detailed information about what you need to do  is available at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

To make sure that everyone can follow these guidelines and remain safe, the Government has brought forward an unprecedented package of measures to back everyone for the duration of this outbreak.

To support employees and businesses, the Government has:

• Established the Coronavirus Jobs retention scheme - enabling employers to claim a a Government grant for up to 80% of the wages of their retained staff.
• Deferred the next 3 months of VAT payments for businesses - worth £30 billion to companies large and small.
• Provided £330bn of loans and guarantees - allowing businesses to access the finance they need for the coming months.
• Making Statutory Sick Pay available for those affected by Covid-19 available from day 1 - whether they have the disease, or are self isolating.

More information about the Government's support for business is available here.To help families, the Government has:

• Worked with lenders to agree a three month mortgage holiday - so nobody in difficulty will have to pay towards their mortgage.
• Increased both Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by £1,000 a year - providing nearly £7 billion of support for the most vulnerable.
• Increased housing benefit and protected renters - to help those people who rent stay in their homes, housing benefit is being increased. In addition, emergency legislation passed by Parliament means that nobody can be evicted for the next three months.

More information about the Government's support for families and individuals is available here.

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor have been clear that they will do whatever it takes to support people through the crisis. Building on these measures, yesterday Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out a world leading package of measures to support self-employed people. This includes:

• A taxable grant worth 80 per cent of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month.
• Self-employed people who are eligible will be contacted by HMRC directly, asked to fill out a simple online form, and HMRC will pay the grant directly into their bank account.
• For self-employed people who are struggling now, they are also able to access loans through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme.
• Suspending the minimum income floor for twelve months – meaning self-employed people can now access, in full, Universal Credit at a rate that is equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees.
• Deferring income tax self-assessment payments for July until the end of January 2021.

More information on these measures is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Alongside all of these measures, I am working with Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council to support local residents. Rugby Borough Council is in the process of contacting businesses eligible for the rate relief scheme and small business grants. Alongside this, from Monday Rugby Borough Council will be taking on the Food Bank to deliver food parcels to those in greatest need. This is in addition to the food parcels being provided by the Government directly to local people who have been advised to shield themselves during the pandemic.

As I knew they would, local residents have also come together to support their friends and neighbours. Every community has a group working to help those self-isolating and my website has a list of them here. If you are struggling, I would urge you to contact your local group to find out how they can help you.

In addition, detailed guidance from Rugby Borough Council is available here and detailed guidance from Warwickshire County Council is available here.

I know that the present unprecedented times are challenging, but by working together and supporting our NHS, we will get through this.

Mark Pawsey MP, Member of Parliament for Rugby and Bulkington

Phone: 01788 579499

Email: [email protected]