From Andrew Gwynne MP <[email protected]>
Subject Denton & Reddish Weekly Newsletter
Date July 3, 2020 3:28 PM
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Keep up to date with the latest news from around Denton & Reddish

This week in Denton & Reddish
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** Dear Constituent,
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Here's your latest edition of Denton and Reddish Weekly News.
COVID-19 Help and Support ([link removed])
Take care and stay safe.
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Headlines


** Long-termer: my struggle with post-COVID sickness
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It was the first week in March that I began to feel grotty. My energy levels seemed quite low and, uncharacteristically for someone always on the go, I just wanted to rest. I was in Parliament in London, but kept my activity to a minimum and as soon as the votes had been done went straight home to bed. At that time, Britain was reporting the Coronavirus. China had been first affected, and by this stage it was virulent across Italy and Spain. Britain, too had been reporting an uptick in cases.


I phoned 111 as a precaution and they suggested it wasn’t COVID-19 because there had been no reported cases in M34 (even though I explained to them I worked in SW1 and London was becoming a hot spot in the UK). Anyway the tiredness developed into classic COVID-19 symptoms a week later and so I spent the next fortnight in complete self-isolation. I wasn’t tested so I don’t actually know for sure it was Coronavirus but it was awful, especially the sheer exhaustion and breathing problems. The ‘illness’ lasted for about 12 days, by which time the country was in lockdown. I use inverted commas because the reality is that, whilst the Coronavirus passed, the illness is still with me.


I’m what’s now being called a “long-termer” – yes it’s a thing. For a surprisingly large number of COVID-19 sufferers, the illness doesn’t end after two weeks. I’m on week 16 as I write this article and it’s at times debilitating for me.


The exhaustion comes back frequently, and to the point where just doing simple tasks around the house brings me out in a massive sweat of the type you’d get from running a marathon. I have lots of dizzy spells. I’ve never had vertigo before this. And oh, the brain fog! In a job where you have to have a razor-sharp mind, my short-term memory is shot to pieces.


My GP is very good and at least recognises it as a type of post-viral fatigue that’s reportedly common in many after COVID-19, but her only suggestion is to take Vitamin-D tablets. I’ve been doing that for two weeks now and it has helped a little bit (and I stress a little bit), but there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel yet.


The reason for writing about my experiences isn’t to garner sympathy – hey, I’m a politician, I’m used to not having much of that – but to raise awareness of the group of people called COVID Longtermers. There’s a lot of us, and studies are being done into the longterm effect Coronavirus may have on some people. And if you, like me, are several weeks into this debilitating illness, join the Facebook Group ‘Long Covid Support Group’, where there’s lots of advice, support and you’ll see you’re not alone!


** Gwynne welcomes investment in two Reddish schools
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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has welcomed new funding to improve the condition of two schools in Reddish.

Reddish Vale High School and St Elisabeth’s Church of England Primary School have successfully secured funding from the Condition Improvement Fund.

The Condition Improvement Fund aims to address significant condition need, keeping schools safe and in good working order. This includes funding projects to address health and safety issues, building compliance and poor building condition.

In the 2020-21 round, over £434 million has been allocated to 1,476 projects at 1,243 academies, sixth form colleges and non-diocesan voluntary aided schools.

Andrew Gwynne said:

“I am delighted that Reddish Vale and St Elisabeth’s have successfully secured this funding to improve the condition of their premises; this is great news for both pupils and staff.


“All children and young people deserve a learning environment that is safe and suitable, and unfortunately there are still too many schools with facilities that are not fit for purpose.


“There are other schools across the Denton and Reddish constituency that are in desperate need of similar investment and I will continue to push for this.”


** Gwynne calls for action on Loan Charge and IR35 injustices after parliamentary disappointment
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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has expressed disappointment that amendments to the Finance Bill aimed at addressing injustices relating to the Loan Charge and IR35 have been voted down by the Government and is urging the Government to rethink.

The Loan Charge was introduced in the 2016 Finance Act and came int effect in 2019. It aims to tackle a type of employment tax avoidance the authorities call “disguised remuneration”, where workers were paid through a loan.

Any loans taken out in such circumstances since 1999 and still outstanding on 5 April 2019 became taxable as income in one go on that date, meaning some people were left with 20 years of tax bill due at once. Some caught up in the Loan Charge scandal were misled or coerced into being paid in this way and now face hefty repayments.

The IR35 reforms to off-payroll working rules, that will see many contractors, freelancers and locum workers classed as “deemed employees” and forced to pay extra taxes as an employee, but without receiving any of the benefits and rights of employment.

Gwynne cosigned a number of cross-party amendments to the Government’s Finance Bill to address injustices relating to the Loan Charge and IR35, but these were either not selected or voted down by the Government.

Andrew Gwynne said:

“I was really disappointed that the Government voted down our cross-party amendment to delay IR35 and the SNP amendment to review the Loan Charge.


“I would also have liked the more robust cross-party Loan Charge amendment which I cosigned to have been voted on and was disappointed that it wasn’t selected.


“These injustices are affecting thousands of people and the Loan Charge has already forced many into real hardship through no fault of their own.


“It’s vital that we address tax avoidance, but both of these schemes have been very poorly designed and implemented, and the Government need to urgently pause and review both.”

Read More of This Week's Stories ([link removed])
Andrew in the constituency

🌍 Great to talk to my constituent Anna Appleby about environmental issues as part of The Climate Coalition’s virtual lobby of MPs.

I support their aim to:

• Invest in climate & nature-friendly jobs
• Putting nature on the path to recovery
• Support the most vulnerable abroad 🌍
Andrew in Parliament

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📺 WATCH: At Work and Pensions Questions this week, I asked the Minister what he’s doing to help the 3 million who don’t qualify for Statutory Sick Pay or other help.

A dreadful answer from the Minister. He waffled-on about employers doing the right thing not realising many of these are self-employed and that’s the point!
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📺 WATCH: At this week’s Home Affairs Select Committee we took evidence from senior officials at the Home Office about the work of the department.

I asked Shona Dunn, the 2nd Permanent Secretary, to outline the detail of how the new immigration system, which should be being implemented over the autumn and starting fully in January 2021, will work in practice.

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📺 WATCH: At Business Questions yesterday, I asked the Leader of the House for a debate or statement on Long Covid. Many people, including me, are suffering from debilitating post-Covid symptoms and would like to know what work the Government is doing on this condition.
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📺 WATCH: I welcome the Government’s announcement to reopen our schools so our children can start learning again.

I’ve asked about the practicality for schools which have no spare space to open schools to all children whilst maintaining social distancing and education bubbles’.

The Education Secretary asks me to read the guidance when it’s published because they have factored staggered lessons into their plans. I will look very closely at the guidance but I hope he understands this could potentially be disruptive for the children and the parents in the schools affected in this way
Andrew in the media
The Mirror picked up on my question to the Education Secretary and his unsatisfactory response. We all want children back to school, but it has to be done safely and the current guidance is not as comprehensive as it needs to be.

Read the full article here. ([link removed])
Community Board

2020/21 Under 7 (Year 2) Rugby Intake Now Open!

Come and join us at Aldwinians RUFC

Is your son or daughter interested in learning Rugby Union in a fun and safe environment? Sign up now for the September 2020 intake (Covid-19 allowing).

Your player must be 6 years old on 1st September 2020 - no other requirements necessary!

More information including how to sign up here. ([link removed])

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