Dear John

I don’t know about you, but last week’s Clap For Carers made me very emotional.

I wasn’t sure how many people would participate, but seeing so many come together to express their gratitude for our NHS staff at this most stressful time was incredibly moving.

It also got me thinking about who else we should be grateful for and one group that immediately sprang to my mind was our supermarket workers.  

Supermarkets are one of the few businesses experiencing increased demand at this time.  Everyone in the sector is working hard to adapt, to keep shelves stocked and to ensure that shoppers and staff are kept safe. I’d like to thank everyone in the industry for their brilliant efforts in rising to these exceptional challenges. 

But, across the capital, many of the supermarket workers are not being paid what they deserve - despite putting themselves at risk of catching the virus every day, so that Londoners can get their essential food and supplies (and the odd Easter egg too!) 

With the turn of the tax year this week, the minimum wage (for over 25s) increases from £8.21 to £8.72 per hour. If that sounds like it isn’t enough to live on in a city like ours, that’s because it isn’t.

The London Living Wage, based on analysis of the real cost of living in the capital, is £10.75 per hour. 

I’ve started a petition calling on London’s major supermarkets to pay ALL their staff at least the London Living Wage.  Will you sign?

Finally, I know that there are many more heroes out there in London - from delivery drivers and teachers to TfL staff and kind neighbours  - and I want to create a space to celebrate them. So join me on Twitter at 7pm for a #KindnessHour, where we can share big and small acts of kindness that have brightened up our week.

Kind regards

Siobhan Benita

Lib Dem Candidate for Mayor of London

p.s. I believe Clap For Carers have made their celebration weekly now, so don’t forget to applaud again at 8pm.

CORONA KINDNESS 

Corona Kindness Directory

To support our 'Calling With Kindness' initiative, we’re building a directory of useful resources and council helplines and have now made it available to the public.

Lib Dem mayoral candidate Siobhan Benita switches from campaigning to launch of new coronavirus initiative (South West Londoner)

The adorable way 2 London brothers are helping the homeless under lockdown (MyLondon)

Volunteers from 2012 Olympics to help medics at NHS Nightingale (Evening Standard)

The amazing things Londoners are doing throughout the coronavirus crisis (MyLondon)

Support Haven offering free coaching to provide emotional support to those impacted by COVID-19

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