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. 

Firstly, I must say a huge thank you to the council and everyone that
has been in touch and has offered their support in regard to the
vandalism on my constituency office in West Harrow. We are in contact
with the police and our office will further review our security
arrangements. I have always taken pride in being an accessible MP and
I do not hope for that to change. I am heartened by the many messages
of support and remain determined to continue to support the people of
Harrow at what is a particularly difficult time for too many.

Over the past three weeks, Harrow has seen a small number of
restrictions lifted by the Government – non-essential high street
businesses have now reopened, and the council has been reaching out to
business owners with guidance to ensure that they are Covid-secure. If
you are using trains, buses or trams, it is for your safety and the
safety of others that face coverings are now compulsory across public
transport and when visiting hospitals. From next SATURDAY, 4TH JULY,
pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers are among the venues that
will be allowed to open, provided they can maintain social-distancing
rules.

FROM TOMORROW, the Government has announced two households will be
able to meet indoors and stay overnight, also while maintaining social
distancing. And the controversial restriction that people remain 2
meters apart will be a “1 meter plus” rule — although people
should remain at a distance of 2 meters where possible. We all want
the government’s plan for easing restrictions to work. We want
people to be able to get back to work and to see their families and
loved ones. We want children back at school and our economy open. But,
fundamentally, this has to be done in a safe and gradual way. It must
now be carefully planned and clearly communicated. The country cannot
afford for government to get the next stages wrong. Any second spike
would put lives and livelihoods further at risk, and so 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. You can read all the new government guidance
on reopening venues here.
[[link removed]]

With the announcements of lockdown measures easing, it is still
important to recognise that over 65,000 people have lost their lives.
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 have
got us to the end of the first wave of this crisis. I hope readers
continue to stay safe, socially distance and regularly check in on
loved ones. The response to Coronavirus is being directed by
Government centrally working with Public Health England, the
Government’s advice is available here
[[link removed]]. Government
assistance specifically for businesses  is available here
[[link removed]]. 

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 scheduling regular Zoom surgeries and phone calls
with Harrow West constituents. 

PARLIAMENT

[Speaking for Labour on International Trade]

Over the past week, the Trade Bill has been in Committee Stage, where
Ministers and Shadow Ministers dissect each Bill line by line, voting
for word changes or clauses before the Bill returns to the House of
Commons. As a member of the Shadow International Trade team alongside
Emily Thornberry, Bill Esterson, Matt Western, Charlotte Nichols and
Fleur Anderson, my role has been providing a detailed line by line
examination of the Trade Bill. After 18 votes and 20 hours of scrutiny
and debate we now understand a lot more about the Conservative
Party’s plan for Britain’s post-Brexit trading future and there
are reports not all the Tories are happy. The splits on food safety
standards (chlorinated chicken being a famous example) and
environmental standards continue to brew.

[Politico Morning Call]

HERE ARE A NUMBER OF TAKEAWAYS FROM THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THIS
IMPORTANT BILL:

1)    In order to protect our NHS and all public services from
being undermined in Free Trade Agreements, we pushed to ensure the
protection of our NHS in law so that it will never be on the table in
trade talks. Government Ministers refused to put these important
safeguards in to law, refusing to protect our NHS from increased
medicine costs, further privatisation and attacks from Corporate
Giants through ISDS.

[Amdt tabled by Labour]

2)    There are now real concerns a number of key ‘continuity’
trade agreements notably Japan, Canada and Turkey won’t be in place
by 31st December putting at risk vital export orders, jobs and
businesses. 

[GT quote in committee]

If we can’t complete a Trade Agreement with Canada; one of our
oldest & closest allies; with whom we share the same Queen it does
make you wonder what is going on - WE STILL HAVEN’T CONCLUDED A
TRADE AGREEMENT WITH ANDORRA! (WHICH ONLY HAS A POPULATION OF
77,000) 

3)    Other significant trade agreements are incomplete with
access to markets in services not resolved (eg: with Norway &
Switzerland) & access for some agricultural products to South Korea at
risk. It’s worth recognising that the vast majority of UK jobs are
dependent on service markets.

4)    Government Ministers have failed to listen to Labour’s
arguments for the rights of the devolved administrations to be
consulted on future trade deals which will have a potentially huge
impact on their economies.

5)    Government Ministers have refused to put into law important
standards to protect us from the lowering of our pesticide
standards, chlorinated chicken and lower quality food.

6)    Government Ministers have refused to ensure meaningful
engagement with civil society to prevent the erosion of environmental
and Human rights both here in the UK and in developing nations.

7)     Ministers have ditched commitments to give Select
Committees access to negotiators and critical information in order to
stay ‘studiously vague’ as one witness put it.

 

When the Bill is debated again in front of the whole House of Commons,
I can assure you that my colleagues and I in the Shadow International
Trade Team will press for amendments to protect our NHS, food
standards and public services. I will be sure to keep you updated on
the progress of this important Bill and next month I will be asking
for social media warriors to lobby MPs across the country to push them
to vote with the interests of all Britons in mind.

HARROW COUNCIL

[HC Coronavirus response]

The council has a webpage covering their own response to the
coronavirus pandemic, this is regularly being updated and is
available here.  
[[link removed]]

HARROW RECYCLING CENTRE

From next Monday, 29 June, the recycling centre on Forward Drive can
only be accessed if you have booked your visit. Harrow residents will
have to book their visit online through the website
[[link removed]]. You can only visit if
you have made a booking and this will, again, only be available for
Harrow residents. The new system has been introduced to help manage
the long waiting times and traffic which has has had a significant
impact on local households and businesses

Opening hours are 8.30AM TO 4.30PM, the council advises:

• Sort your waste before you arrive and use the right bays for
different waste. 

• 6 bays will remain open to allow social distancing and safe
disposal of waste.

• Your booking confirmation must be presented on arrival along with
Valid Photo ID (drivers licence) and proof of address.

Trade waste will be accepted from Monday 6 July - you do not need to
book a slot, but simply go to the weigh bridge.

If you or any members of your household have been experiencing any
Covid-19 symptoms in the last 14 days, you must not visit Household
Reuse and Reycling Centres under any circumstances.

HARROW'S HEROES

[Harrow's Heroes]

There have certainly been many heroes across Harrow over the past 14
weeks and Harrow’s Heroes are a great opportunity to commemorate the
hard work, dedication and achievements of local people and teams who
make Harrow a special place to live and work.

The council are dedicating this year’s awards to the key workers and
volunteers with a month long celebration but nominations are also open
for anyone in the borough that has been making a difference to others
and their community.

From our emergency services, carers, food distributers and teachers;
to volunteers, street cleaners, befrienders and transport drivers –
these are just a handful of things, but Harrow has an army of heroes.
It could be something as big as saving someone’s life, or as little
as helping with gardening. There are lots of great things being done
in the face of adversity and the council would like to celebrate this.
You can nominate an individual or team who are going above and beyond

Nominations are open until 30 July. 
[[link removed]]

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Harrow Council, Harrow CCG, and Young Harrow Foundation have put
together a joint document
[[link removed]] 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
[[link removed]] – 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
[[link removed]]
 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 
[[link removed]] - a
service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis.
Tel: 0300 0032324 or email [email protected].

·       DAWN [[link removed]]  - 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 [[link removed]]  - 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 
[[link removed]]  - 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].

·        [[link removed]] Every
Mind Matters [[link removed]] - Expert
advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health
and wellbeing.

CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE

The council continues to operate a hotline telephone number during
weekends in order to provide support to 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

TFL

[TFL Facemask]

As of last week, customers using public transport are required to
wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth for their
entire journey, including in stations. Additionally, face coverings
should be worn by everyone in taxi and private hire vehicles for the
duration of their journey. There are exemptions for those who have
trouble breathing, children and anyone who finds it difficult to
manage them correctly.

As more people have returned to week, plans to boost walking and
cycling are helping to ensure London can re-open carefully, with
changes being rolled out at pace through TfL and the Mayor’s
Streetspace for London plan. 

Footways and bus platforms have been extended across the capital,
creating an additional 19,000m² of space for people walking and
cycling in the past month. The speed limit has also been reduced on
Park Lane and on the elevated section of the A40, with further such
reductions to be introduced in due course.

TfL piers will re-open and Thames Clippers services will resume from
Monday 15 June. There will be a bespoke timetable designed to cover
the key commuter periods and customers are advised to check the new
temporary timetable
[[link removed]] before
travelling. To suit new work patterns and encourage people to avoid
the peak, Thames Clippers will introduce new agile tickets such as
two to three day season tickets and carnet schemes to
[[link removed]] support
commuters using the service. 

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 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.
[[link removed]]

CAN YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT?

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]]

HELP FROM ME

[GT and Kate Nash]

Last week, it was great to have special guest and Harrow West
constituent, Kate Nash, at my Zoom surgery all the way from Los
Angeles. Kate raised two vital causes with me - the need for important
DoE black history reform and continued pressure on the Government for
removal of flammable cladding.  On behalf of Harrow residents, I
addressed the demand for a return to Kate’s roots, not for work
experience in my office but a gig at Harrow’s finest Trinity Bar,
I’m sure there will be a lot of interest...

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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