Dear Constituent,

 

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has backed a cross-party campaign by leading MPs calling on the Government to introduce a Coronavirus Compensation Scheme for those on the frontline of the battle with Coronavirus.

Public support for the campaign – led by Layla Moran MP – continues to grow, with over 8,000 members of the public having signed the petition.

The MPs’ letter to the Prime Minister on 30 March said ‘those on the frontline of this battle against coronavirus are heroes’ and advocates for the scheme to mirror that already in place for the Armed Forces. The scheme would include:

• a lump sum up front
• a guaranteed income for their family
• child payments to eligible children under 18
• contributions towards funeral costs

The call follows reports that hundreds of doctors are less likely to return to the frontline or increase their hours because they fear their families will not be properly compensated if they lose their lives, and news that over 100 NHS staff have now died after contracting COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Compensation Scheme should be open to the families of those classified as key workers, notably NHS and social care staff as well as teachers.

Andrew Gwynne said:

“Those on the frontline in this crisis are putting their lives on the line every day to help protect the rest of us. They should know that the state will help their families if the worst happens.

 

“The Coronavirus Compensation Scheme would provide security and comfort for those risking their lives in the face of COVID-19. It is the very least they deserve.

 

“I’m proud to give my support to this campaign and would urge the Government to introduce this scheme without delay.”

 

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, is supporting #GivingTuesdayNow, a Global Day of Unity organised by the Charities Aid Foundation, on 5 May to celebrate and give thanks for the generosity people have displayed during the Coronavirus crisis.

Giving Tuesday is a global campaign which usually takes place in November or December. In response to these unprecedented times, the Charities Aid Foundation have brought the day forward to 5 May, renaming it #GivingTuesdayNow.

The implications of Coronavirus mean that charity donations have dipped, whilst charity demands have risen. This is why it is more important than ever that the vital work of charities and good causes in Denton and Reddish and beyond is supported.

It is free for charities, businesses and individuals to sign up to be part of #GivingTuesdayNow.

Andrew Gwynne MP said:

“Our charities are working harder than ever before to deliver their missions in the face of the challenges set by Coronavirus.

 

“This is why I am delighted to be a part of #GivingTuesdayNow to show my appreciation for the charity sector and all those who support it.

 

“I am encouraging all of my constituents to use the day to show their gratitude for the support charities are providing in their communities during these difficult times.”

Gráinne Mathews, Giving Tuesday Campaign Lead at the Charities Aid Foundation said:

“Charities need help now more than ever, and we’re delighted to have Andrew Gwynne MP on board to celebrate the vital work of charities in Denton and Reddish.

 

“The UK is one of the most generous countries in the world and we at the Charities Aid Foundation are proud to run this campaign here – it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase all the great causes people are supporting at this time of unprecedented need.

 

“We would also encourage anyone who is able to, to think about giving to a cause close to their heart.”

 

When we think about the fight against Coronavirus, we rightfully think about the hard work and dedication of our exceptional frontline NHS workers. We are thankful for their service. We clap for them on Thursdays – and now, we also clap for our amazing carers and other essential key workers.

 

Until very recently, our carers felt excluded from Coronavirus conversations. Those who work in our care homes are also on the frontline as they work tirelessly to look after our loved ones in incredibly difficult circumstances. Social distancing measures have quite rightly closed our care homes to visitors, but our efforts to protect the most vulnerable from the virus have left staff with many confused and scared residents, who have now begun to contract Coronavirus on an increasingly large scale.

 

Care workers are no strangers to working in difficult circumstances. Like NHS Trusts across the country, our care homes have been severely underfunded. The Coronavirus crisis has revealed what many of us have known for years and that is that our social care sector is in desperate need of investment. Our care workers deserve a Living Wage. Our loved ones deserve to receive the best care possible.

 

The work of care home staff is invaluable. Take Kia and Ken, for example. It circulated in the news this week that Kia, a 17 year old care home worker from Preston, surprised one of her residents, 94 year old Ken, with a custom-made cushion of his late wife that he will treasure forever. The relationships formed in our care homes are real and personal and human, and they make their Coronavirus deaths all the more difficult for staff to deal with.

 

The Local Government Association have called for social care workers to receive reliable and ongoing supplies of PPE, increased Coronavirus testing facilities and greater external support. Our social care workers should not be receiving differential treatment from frontline NHS staff. Many carers are understandably feeling extremely vulnerable right now, given that over 100 of our brilliant health and social care workers are so far thought to have sadly lost their lives to Coronavirus. This needs to stop. Carers need to be protected as they work to care for the most vulnerable in our society.

 

The crisis in our care homes during this pandemic is clear for all to see. When normal life resumes, and I hope that it will very soon, we need to have some serious conversations about social care and its funding. We simply cannot continue as we were.