Off the back of a rushed announcement last Saturday, the nation is now entering a second lockdown. The impact of this cannot be underestimated and I share the feelings of frustration and concern that I know so many have expressed in the last week.
However, I do know this: our fantastic communities can once again rise to this important challenge to protect our most marginalised and our loved ones. The fact remains that our actions can and do save lives.
The incredible efforts of those in the city to bring down coronavirus earlier in the spring shows what can be achieved. Now we once again need to find strength to protect each other.
This, of course, is about more than just the risk of catching covid-19. The stress we place on our local NHS can stand in the way of supporting people with other life-threatening illnesses – or treatments being administered to those who need urgent support.
Our efforts together can make sure the doctor we need is not off unwell or that a hospital bed someone needs isn’t unavailable due to covid-19.
Our city has shown we can act together – and I know we can build on the bonds we have created this year to help us now.
The robust networks set up to deal with the pandemic the first time round are still in place. This week, I met once again with local MPs, universities, business leaders, the voluntary sector and opposition councillors to discuss what the latest lockdown means for our city.
Our joint work means we can put measures in place to support residents and businesses and to understand what steps we can take together. We’ll continue to work across the city to provide the support and information everyone requires.
As we moved quickly to support residents before, a reminder that the council’s community hub can still provide support with energy bills, organise emergency food and help with other essentials including mental health support referrals.
Our services will speak to you without judgment and are here to help. I want to take this moment to also stress the advice that anyone facing injury or harm, such as domestic abuse, is allowed to leave their homes.
I also know we are not only being tested by a global health pandemic – but by a mental health and economic crisis too. While even at this critical point too much is being left unanswered by the Conservative government.
I am clear that there must be solid commitments from government to ensure that vital industries in our city are protected.
The arts, culture, tourism and hospitality businesses are our city’s lifeblood. Yet many were failed by the last business grants scheme.
I also remain concerned about the impact of a second lockdown on the self-employed and I join trade unions and business leaders urging the government to halt the planned cut in universal credit support payments to self-employed workers.
For many of our valued independent businesses this will be an especially gruelling time – Christmas often accounts for more than half of the year’s sales.
We will be doing what we can to support local businesses and employees while pushing for the strongest support from government in the weeks ahead.
