It's the end of a long week. I’m writing to you with my latest
update on the response to the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic in
Harrow. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌


[COVID Update]

Dear John,

Below is my latest update on the response to the Coronavirus or
COVID-19 pandemic locally. As we come to the end of another week for
many in lockdown, I continue to receive startling stories from the
frontline, of local health workers and care workers keeping our
communities safe under exceptional circumstances. It is encouraging
and warming to see the appreciation that is being felt for their hard
work across Harrow. A video I shared last week amassed many comments
of admiration for a Harrow legend, Dr David Lloyd, who has postponed
his retirement in order to help in the fight against Covid-19
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. I’m also delighted to be receiving positive stories of people
donating their time to local causes, picking up groceries, delivering
food and prescriptions and organising conference calls to check in on
one another. Yesterday, I was honoured to attend my first virtual Bar
Mitzvah using ‘Zoom’, tuning into our local synagogue and the
moving words of a father reciting the superb ‘If’ by Rudyard
Kipling to his son. I hope you continue to stay safe, stay indoors and
regularly check in on loved ones, and as the weather heats up, do make
sure you take the opportunity to walk through one or two of Harrow’s
lovely green spaces.

This weekend, I should also express my congratulations to Sir Keir
Starmer on being elected the new leader of The Labour Party - he is
elected Leader of the Opposition in the midst of the gravest crisis
since the Second World War. As he states here
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whether we voted for this Government or not, we all rely on it to get
the response to this crisis right, for the national interest. He is a
serious leader for serious times, who understands the challenge ahead
of us and will ensure Labour is a Party fit for Government.

I continue to update my website
[[link removed]] – covering where to find
support, keep safe and assist local people in Harrow. If you have
anything you would like to me to feature in this update please send me
an e-mail with the subject “Covid-19 newsletter” and be sure to
share this message with friends, family, neighbours and local
businesses in order to strengthen our collective response to COVID-19.
The situation is rapidly changing and the response to Coronavirus is
being directed by Government centrally working with Public Health
England, the Government’s advice is available here.
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Government assistance specifically for businesses is available here.
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As always, if you ever need to get in touch about the issues covered
here – or anything else – please contact my office on 0207 219
4243 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Please bear with
us, as we have received over 5 times our usual weekly amount of
correspondence. My team and I are working hard to respond as promptly
as possible. Although we have had to cancel face to face surgery
appointments, we are now scheduling regular Zoom surgeries and phone
calls with Harrow West constituents.

WORK IN PARLIAMENT

Parliament is still in recess but, as with every recess, the work does
not stop. Important work continues as the Government responds to the
COVID-19 pandemic.

As a Member of the INTERNATIONAL TRADE SELECT COMMITTEE, I will be
working to uncover why the Government has failed to adequately source
enough PPE equipment, COVID-19 Testing equipment and Ventilators.
There are a number of questions for which written evidence can be
submitted to the Committee, largely around ways in which the UK
Government can best work to facilitate trade in essential goods during
the pandemic. If you speak on behalf of a UK business, please consider
reading more about the inquiry and submit evidence before 5PM on
Friday, 24 April
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This week I joined a number of other MPs from across the house to
campaign on various issues:

PRESCRIPTIONS - I joined over 100 MPs in calling on Ministers to make
prescriptions free for everyone during the coronavirus pandemic. It is
clear the change would benefit everyone but particularly those who
find themselves in a difficult financial situation. MPs are finding an
increase in cases of constituents with respiratory conditions having
to cancel direct debits for Prescription Prepayment Certificates. This
intervention is needed now more than ever. This can be read here -
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

CALLING FOR CLARITY ON GUIDANCE TO BUSINESSES – The information from
Government is to Stay Safe and Stay at Home but for many businesses
– construction sites, call centres, distribution centres and
factories, the guidance for some employers is to continue working,
despite being non-essential work. Non-essential workers travelling on
the tube to get to work is adding to the risk that many more people
will be infected than necessary and so, we have called on Ministers
from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to
clarify matters. This can be read here -
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COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR NHS WORKERS – I have joined a cross-party
coalition of MPs calling on the Government to create a Coronavirus
Compensation Scheme akin to the Armed Forces Compensation scheme –
this would include a lump sum fund, a guaranteed income for families
and child payments to children eligible under 18. This can be read
here - [link removed]
[[link removed]]

COMMUNITY PHARMACY SUPPORT – I co-wrote this letter with Ealing and
Central Acton MP, Rupa Huq calling on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to
provide support to NHS Community Pharmacists currently struggling to
meet the massive increase in demand for patients - This can be read
here - [link removed]
[[link removed]]

Covid-19 impact on world’s poorest – I joined a number of
colleagues calling on the Government to support the UN’s Global
Humanitarian Response plan as the pandemic begins to impact more of
the world’s poorest countries. This can be read here -
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URGENT REPATRIATION OF BRITISH NATIONALS IN INDIA – Working with
Ealing North MP, James Murray and many others, we have called on the
FCO to ensure British Nationals from India can urgently return home.
Many British Nationals remain stuck abroad and unable to secure return
flights home. Whilst we welcome reports that some flights are now
being organised, we are keen to obtain assurances that this is the
beginning of a comprehensive plan to repatriate all British Nationals
who wish to return home. If other countries can, surely, we can too.
This can be read here -
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HARROW COUNCIL

[HC Coronavirus response]

The council has a webpage covering their own response, this is
regularly being updated and IS AVAILABLE HERE
[[link removed]] . This week, the Council has
released a new £2m package of support for Harrow's most vulnerable
residents including a discount on council tax for Council Tax Support
recipients, £500k for our voluntary sector for advice, food delivery,
and wider support, and a new COVID-19 Hardship Fund – details can be
found below:

THE CORONAVIRUS HARDSHIP FUND

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Government have allocated
funds to local councils in the form of a Hardship grant to support
residents financially impacted by the Coronavirus.

Harrow’s Hardship Fund provides emergency financial support where
alternatives are not available to an individual or household.

Examples of hardship include:

Experiencing immediate need for funds for emergency items such as food
or energy fuel bills

Applicant and partner have no or insufficient income to cover
financial need

There are no alternative ways of accessing support

Do not have savings to finance need

No other member of household is able to assist in part or whole

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE HARDSHIP FUND?

• People who are experiencing exceptional financial hardship as a
result of the Coronavirus.

• People living in a household in Harrow and who are liable for
council tax or are the partner of the liable person; Other adults in
the household cannot make an application; People who are liable for
council tax but are exempt or receive full council tax support so do
not have to make payments can apply.

• People living in shared accommodation or HMO’s (Homes in
Multiple Occupation) where the landlord pays the council tax.

• People requiring assistance with: Food, Energy fuel –
electricity, gas, water bills, Prescriptions/medicine - if you are
unable to afford to pay for them and are not exempt from charges,
Cash/cash equivalent to purchase food/energy fuel,
prescriptions/medicine.

• Applications from vulnerable residents with no recourse to public
funds will be considered. This will be at the discretion of the
council. The council will assess such applications on a case by case
basis. Support will only be provided to applicants who are at risk of
destitution.

• In most situations only one application per household will be
considered for each month. The application will be on behalf of all
household members.

IF YOU'RE FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY THIS CRISIS, MAKE AN APPLICATION
HERE: www.harrow.gov.uk/hardshipfund [/www.harrow.gov.uk/hardshipfund]

CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE

The council have set up a hotline telephone number to support the most
vulnerable people in Harrow, if you need support from the council with
regards to any of the issues being encountered due to COVID-19, please
give the hotline a call - 0208 901 2698

CAN YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT?

SPARE ROOM?

This week, my office has been able to match key workers with free
rooms for those with family or housemates self-isolating. If you are
able to temporarily offer a spare room to a key worker currently
unable to be at home due to a family member or a housemate
self-isolating, please get in touch with my office by e-mailing
[email protected] with subject “spare room”.

TRINITY BAR

[GT in Trinity]

Harrow's brilliant late licensed music venue and bar is under threat -
please join me and many others in donating to help Trinity survive the
Covid-19 crisis, so that when this blows over we can hopefully meet in
the Trinity once again -
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

VOLUNTARY ACTION HARROW, YOUNG HARROW FOUNDATION and HARROW
COMMUNITY ACTION continue to work with Harrow Council to help
coordinate a Harrow wide response to the Coronavirus outbreak and a
database is being compiled of people who are willing to volunteer.
Voluntary Action Harrow are using this database to inform people of
organisations looking for volunteers. Please sign up here: 
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

HARROW FOODBANK

Food bank donations have dropped by 40% in recent weeks, and at the
same time, many of the most vulnerable in our community will have
trouble obtaining essentials during the Covid-19 lockdown. If you are
able to, please consider donating an item or two next time you are at
one of Harrow’s major supermarkets - this will aid the Foodbank and
Voluntary Sector organised response. [link removed]
[[link removed]]

Due to the number of volunteers over 70 or self-isolating, along with
an increase in demand - Harrow Foodbank needs additional volunteers.
If you are available please sign up here.
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VCS – FEEDING HARROW

[VCS delivery]

About 300 food deliveries were made last week to families currently
self-isolating. This emergency collaboration of voluntary groups has
formed in response to Covid-19, and FEEDING HARROW will continue to
provide more meals and food for people in isolation across Harrow in
the weeks to come. Their drop off point is KIND CAFÉ @ THE BRIDGE,
Monday to Friday 10:30AM-4PM, and they can arrange larger quantities
for collection.

#COFFEEVSCOVID - buy an NHS worker a coffee – Last month, a group of
friends started raising money to fund small acts of kindness
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support of London's NHS staff. They asked nurses, doctors and NHS
trusts what the public could do to help, and they replied by asking
for coffee and snacks to help keep morale high. The group might not be
in a position to buy ventilators, but we can each send a cup of
coffee.

Donate what you can here
[[link removed]];
support is being given to Northwick Park staff and all the money
raised will be shared proportionately across London's major hospitals
at the end of each week in support of existing staff welfare
provisions. 

NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDERS

NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the
COVID-19 outbreak. To do this the NHS is calling on an 'army' of
volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most
risk from the virus to stay well. Our doctors, nurses and other
professionals will be able to refer people in to NHS Volunteer
Responders and be confident that they have been matched with a
reliable, named volunteer. Sign up here.
[[link removed]]

FINDING SUPPORT

DO YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAKES YOU VULNERABLE? PLEASE
REGISTER.

A reminder, if you think you fall into a category that makes you
vulnerable to coronavirus – register with the Government here
[[link removed]]. For example,
you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential
supplies like food. The council has just started to receive this
information and are working with local organisations to provide
support to those who apply.

If you’re not sure whether your medical condition makes you
extremely vulnerable, register anyway. This service is free. You can
register yourself, or on behalf of someone else
[[link removed]].

CORONAVIRUS SCAMS - The Government are advising the public to be extra
vigilant and be wary of scams related to Covid-19 -
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TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF YOU SHOULD:

·      reject offers that come out of the blue

·      get the company’s name and establish their credentials
using the FCA’s Financial Services Register
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·      beware of adverts on social media channels and paid
for/sponsored adverts online

·      do not click links or open emails from senders you
don’t already know

·      be wary of promised returns that sound too good to be
true

·      take your time to make all the checks you need, even if
this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’

·      do not give out personal details (bank details, address,
existing insurance/pensions/investment details)

·      seek financial guidance or advice
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changing your pension arrangements or making investments

There is further advice on the FCA’s ScamSmart website 
[[link removed]]about how to protect yourself and if
you suspect you may have been contacted in what could be a scam, you
can make a complaint to the Insolvency Service
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call Action Fraud straight away on 0300 123 2040.

A COVID-19 COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP has been set-up, coordinating
action within WhatsApp groups for every ward in Harrow in order to
provide support to local residents – you are welcome to  join the
Facebook group here
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[[link removed]]
and if you are not a Facebook member but would like to join your
ward’s WhatsApp group – e-mail [email protected] with your
postcode and the coordinators will add you to the correct group.

ST MARY’S CHURCH - If you are in need of support or company – a
visit (where possible), a telephone call, help with shopping etc. St.
Mary’s would like you to get in contact. You can do this in a
variety of ways via the Church Office. The Office is open on Tuesdays
and Thursdays 9am – 2pm but the messages will be checked daily.

Email: [email protected], Tel: 020 8423 4014 (answerphone:
leave your contact details)

HARROW CENTRAL MOSQUE – Harrow Mosque is providing a free food and
essentials transport service to elderly and vulnerable people in
Harrow who require assistance with medical collection or other
essentials – Call or SMS: 07874869484 E-mail:
[email protected]

HELP FROM ME 

I appreciate that whilst this outbreak of Covid-19 is currently
dominating a lot of our thoughts, other concerns and problems do not
disappear. However, to help reduce the spread of infection, I am
asking members of the public who need to contact my office to do so by
phone or email rather than in person and further, I will continue to
hold surgery appointments exclusively by telephone and Zoom video
conferencing. This is a temporary measure and a sensible precaution to
protect vulnerable people. Please be assured we continue to offer a
full service of advice and support to members of the public who need
it.

As always, my office can be contacted
on [email protected] or by telephone on 0207 219 4243
(Monday-Friday).

STAY AT HOME AND SAVE LIVES.

Best wishes,

GARETH

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