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Dear John,
Below is my latest update on the response to the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic locally.
Over the past two weeks, Harrow has seen a continued decline in confirmed cases of coronavirus, we now appear to have passed the peak of the first wave of covid-19 transmission, infection, hospitalisation and deaths. Positive
signs, but there is still further to go. From Monday, the Government has announced up to 6 people will be allowed to meet outside as long as they are 2 metres apart, in addition, people can meet in private gardens and
public spaces. I appreciate and often hear concerns that the Government’s messaging and plans regarding the easing of the lockdown has at times felt inconsistent and I understand that as we experience good weather, many
will be keen to enjoy visiting our local parks. However, I would like to urge readers to please avoid complacency and further ask that you continue to follow government guidance on social distancing as, in line with Public
Health England’s guidance, a second wave of the virus is highly likely.
My thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of those who have sadly died, and with those who have contracted the virus. I can only begin to imagine the sense of fear and loss the families must be feeling. As
a community, we are immensely grateful to all of our NHS staff, social care workers and all of our key workers, who are working tirelessly to help us deal with this crisis. I hope readers continue to stay safe, stay indoors
and regularly check in on loved ones.
I continue to update my website –
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 response to Coronavirus is being directed by Government centrally working with
Public Health England, the Government’s advice is available here
. Government assistance specifically for businesses is available here
.
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.
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Messages of Thank you, to the keyworkers that have kept Harrow going over the past 10 weeks. When this is over, and the clapping stops, we must build a society where key workers are properly paid and properly valued.
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Parliament has been in recess this past week but, as with every recess, the work does not stop. I continue to run Zoom surgeries for urgent cases, please contact my office if you would like to book an appointment. There
isn’t always space in this newsletter to feature my response to ongoing political developments, so be sure to get in contact if there is any particular political concern not mentioned that you would like to raise with
me.
Lockdown measures
Parliament has been in recess this past week but, as with every recess, the work does not stop. I continue to run Zoom surgeries for urgent cases, please contact my office if you would like to book an appointment. There
isn’t always space in this newsletter to feature my response to ongoing political developments, so be sure to get in contact if there is any particular political concern not mentioned that you would like to raise with
me.
It has been a long time since a political event has garnered as much public response as it has over the past week in lockdown. I share much of your dismay about the serious allegations about Dominic Cummings. It is of great
concern that whilst Harrow residents and the wider public have stayed at home, behaved responsibly and committed to social distancing measures; someone involved in setting the rules, has clearly not been following them.
In my opinion, Dominic Cummings position is untenable, and I am shocked that he has not had the decency to resign, or even show some contrition for his actions. This situation also has significant implications for Boris
Johnson’s leadership and ultimately his premiership. The attempts from the Prime Minister to defend the indefensible actions of his most senior adviser are quickly descending into chaos and seriously undermining trust.
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition has been clear that he would have sacked Mr Cummings and has been unequivocal in his condemnation of Mr Cumming’s conduct.
He has also called for an investigation into what happened, and as such, the Labour Party has formally written to the Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill. It is regrettable that this week the Prime Minister would not
agree to such an investigation or inquiry. In addition, my party have also written to the Home Secretary to raise serious questions about the implications for policing, following the Prime Minister’s statement earlier
this week.
Coronavirus has posed a unique challenge for this country, and now more than ever the country needs to see strong leadership from the Government. The public was looking for an honest explanation and an apology. What
we got last Sunday were weak excuses and no regrets.
Trade Bill
My most recent vote in parliament was in opposition to the Second Reading of the Trade Bill. As I mentioned in my last e-mail, earlier this month MPs voted on the ‘Agriculture Bill’, for which
the Government victory is now likely to mean a lowering in tariffs that will push British farms, with high welfare standards, to compete with lower-standard US factory farms. The same themes return in the ‘Trade Bill’ – which, as a Shadow International Trade Minister, I will continue to spend a lot of time on, as the Bill now moves into “Committee” stage”.
The Trade Bill might not sound so exciting, but it will have many implications for the future standard of trade in our country. For over 45 years, the UK’s international trade policy has been determined through
its relationship with the EU. During this period, the UK has benefited from frictionless trade within the EU’s single market and been protected by strong shared policies on trade with countries outside the EU and
EEA. The EU agreements, which the UK has traded under, protect the NHS, safeguard the UK’s right to regulate to protect public health and ensure high health and safety standards on imported products.
The Trade Bill sets out the key measures required for the UK Government to implement international trade agreements at the end of the transition period. The Shadow International Trade team have serious concerns that
in the clamour to secure continuity of trade post-Brexit, as well as to rapidly agree new trade deals due to the current economic environment, the UK will come under significant pressure from its non-EU trading partners
to liberalise aspects of its trade policy in ways that could damage the healthcare sector and public health.
This Government has acknowledged that ‘substantive changes’ will be needed in transitioning existing EU trade agreements into UK agreements. It is already clear that some countries have already made efforts to use this
rollover of agreements as an opportunity to seek more favourable conditions for their own EU trade agreements to UK agreements. For example, some countries have already sought lobby groups in both the US and Australia
to push for the sale of hormone-treated beef to be available in the UK. I will be spending the next month working on the bill at committee stage, before it returns to parliament in a month’s time and will keep
constituents updated on this important bill.
In my role as a Shadow Minister for International Trade, I have also continued to meet (via Zoom) with various trade bodies and senior industrial stakeholders to understand what concerns they have regarding both the
trading environment for importing and exporting our goods. This week, I joined Deputy Mayor for London, Rajesh Agrawal for a Zoom call with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
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The daily rise in Covid-19 cases has flattened in Harrow (for now) and I am pleased to hear that the number of those hospitalised at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust for Covid has reduced by 75% since its
peak in early April and the number of those in need of critical care has also halved.
We owe a huge debt to our NHS staff and it is clear we must continue to stick to the important social distancing measures. The reduction in Covid cases allows our hospitals to open up further for non-covid operations. Small
numbers of operations are now taking place at the St Marks facility at Northwick Park Hospital and staff are working hard to open additional facilities by mid-July.
Very grateful to Northwick Park Hospital clinicians who are facilitating urgent cancer treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital and to those working hard at the Central Middlesex & Clementine Churchill Hospitals who are
continuing to treat urgent local NHS non-covid patients.
Contact tracing
Just ten people had died of Covid-19 when Public Health England stopped community testing back on March 12; today, with the launch of NHS Test and Trace two and a half months later, the official death toll is approaching
40,000 — and the real number is thought to be far higher. Those countries like Germany and South Korea that have invested early in this type of process have seen much lower death rates.
Track and tracing started in Harrow on Thursday evening. The NHS test and trace service will help to control the rate of reproduction (R), reduce the spread of the infection and save lives.
The most important thing to make sure the system works is public confidence in it, to help drive cooperation, sadly amongst the backdrop of the Government’s action or inaction of the past week, public confidence will be
diminished. In Harrow, we will need everyone asked to cooperate fully with NHS Test and Trace’s stay at home instructions to keep all of us safe. The very last thing we need at this stage of the pandemic is for people
to copy the actions of Cummings, and ministerial endorsement of it, and break the quarantine laws when they are asked to isolate under the new tracing system.
Read more about how test and trace will help fight the virus.
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Headstone Manor #COVIDINHARROW
Headstone Manor & Museum is undertaking a contemporary collecting project focused around the current pandemic the world is experiencing. With lockdowns in place, increased use of social media platforms, food crises, economic
setbacks, medical emergencies, and local government pressures, this period of uncertainty has affected us all. Headstone Manor museum believe this is a period of history that needs to be told for the generations
to come and so have launched a collecting project to capture the impact of the crisis as it unfolds in Harrow, with the view of framing it within the wider global story.
The museum are calling on Harrow residents to submit materials for this collection. Full information on what they are hoping to collect can be found here.
Domestic abuse support
Harrow Council has a webpage set up specifically to find support across Harrow and London here.
There has been a steady increase in the number of contacts and referrals involving Domestic Abuse over the past week, which reflects some of the trends seen in other parts of London, and other parts
of the country. Harrow Council have had sufficient capacity to deal with this investigative work in collaboration with the Police and other agencies.
Domestic abuse is historically an under-reported crime and victims may now feel even more isolated with less opportunity to access help and support. With this in mind, the police are now publicising more information
that will help and support communities.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or you know a friend, relative or neighbour who you think is at risk, call the police right away. In an emergency, always call 999 – high harm domestic abuse calls will continue to
be prioritised. The 24/7 National Domestic Abuse helpline, which offers support to victims and people affected by domestic abuse, is free to call on 0808 2000 247.
Everyone Active, the Council’s leisure contractor, is providing 20 classes free of charge each week live on the main Everyone Active Harrow Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/eaHarrow/ . The classes are open to anyone and all ages and levels of fitness are catered for. The sessions include yoga, family fitness, conditioning, family pilates, and cardio workouts.
Support for children and young people
Harrow Council, Harrow CCG, and Young Harrow Foundation have put together a joint document signposting residents to a collection of
some of the most helpful and trusted sources of information and guidance for children and young people’s wellbeing.
For young people (high school and college age), the document ‘looking after ourselves’ can be found here – covering how to stay healthy, stay
connected and learn new skills during this time.
Support and online resources for the family
Harrow Council have collected a range of online resources
for all members of the family to keep entertained while libraries are closed. You will be able to find resource to help with homework, eBooks, newspapers and magazines
and keeping yourself healthy and motivated.
Counselling services and mental health support
· Relate Family Mediation
- a service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis. Tel: 0300 0032324 or email i[email protected].
· DAWN
- provide a counselling service to the local community of Harrow and its neighbouring boroughs. Tel: 020 8427 6796 or email: [email protected]
· Need To Talk
- offering 1 to 1 counselling supporting their clients or any client by telephone or webcam. Tel: call/ text on 07427548559 or email [email protected]
· Ignite Trust
- During these challenging and uncertain times, Ignite Trust is working hard to ensure they continue to provide support to the boroughs most vulnerable and at-risk young people. Email [email protected].
·
Every Mind Matters - Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
Coronavirus Hotline
The council have set up a hotline telephone number to support those in need of assistance in Harrow, if you are in need of support due to Covid please give the hotline a call - 0208 901 2698
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The collaborative ‘Feeding Harrow’ operation – between Harrow Council, Harrow Food Bank, the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS), Harrow Community Transport (HCT), The Bridge, My Yard, The Breaking
Bread Trust, Stanmore Temple and Mosque, Harrow School and others continues to operate effectively.
Over 9000 food deliveries have now taken place across Harrow - VCS have setup an online system taking direct food requests from residents- www.helpharrow.org.
All of the Harrow Council and central government shielded list has already been referred for delivery.
If you can donate any food - Kind Café @ The Bridge, Wealdstone, Harrow HA3 5AB
Monday to Friday 10:30AM-4PM, and they larger quantities can be arranged for collection.
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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:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CoronavirusHarrow
Spare room?
My office have 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”.
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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.
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 is 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.
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Age UK is determined to be here for older people and their families throughout the coronavirus crisis, they have compiled a helpful coronavirus information pack to access here:
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/information-guides/ageukig59_coronavirus_inf.pdf
Harrow Talking Therapies - The coronavirus crisis is unlike anything many of us will have encountered before and will, at some point, take its toll on our own mental well-being and the well-being of those closest to us. For anyone who is struggling with their mental health at this current time - Harrow Talking Therapies is a FREE NHS service offering support to those who are finding the current situation difficult. They offer 1:1 support via telephone or Video call. They offer bereavement support, anxiety and worry management support, low mood support and also help if you are self-isolating, or feel isolated being on your own at this time amongst other support you might be needing at this time.
Please get in touch by calling 0208 515 5015 (lines are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) or emailing
[email protected]. You will be assessed very quickly and booked in for treatment quickly too.
Coronavirus Scams - The Government are advising the public to be extra vigilant and be wary of scams related to Covid-19, please read the Government's guidance here -
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-vigilant-against-coronavirus-scams
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 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]
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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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