Barry Sheerman

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, and the vast changes that it has made to each of our lives, it has been wonderful to see so many acts of selflessness, altruism and compassion across our communities – and Huddersfield has been no exception. From the sacrifice of our frontline NHS and social care staff, to the dedication of our charity workers and the bravery of those who are performing essential work, everyone across Huddersfield has really risen to the challenge. 

Over the last several weeks, many local businesspeople and those within the community have told me that they would like to help and contribute to national efforts in the battle against Covid-19, but they were unsure how they could best communicate this to the Government. 

All businesses owners who are able and would like to offer support at this time, please follow this link and complete the online form which relays to the Government what you are able to contribute. You will need your company number to do so. 

The list below is what support is needed from businesses:

• medical testing equipment
• medical equipment design
• protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
• hotel rooms
• transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
• manufacturing equipment
• warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
• expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement or engineering
• social care or childcare

Our National Health Service, our care sectors and other organisations which provide essential services are in need of various equipment, materials and services; business contributions are a key a part of the battle against Covid-19. 

I know that many businesses want to offer material help and I hope that this provides the means to do so. If you have any further questions or if the online form does not enable you to contribute what you want, please do get in touch with me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk.

The Government has announced several support packages so far aimed at supporting financially vulnerable businesses, employees and individuals.  

Businesses

• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – a scheme that makes £330bn available in government backed loans (up to £5 million per business).
• Small Business Grant Funding – a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses in England paying little or no business rates because of relief schemes.
• Statutory Sick Pay Rebate – small and medium-sized businesses will be able to claim SSP for staff sickness absences due to coronavirus.
• Support for Businesses Paying Tax – all businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service.
• VAT Deferral – VAT payments due between 20 March and 30 June 2020 will be deferred.

Retail, hospitality and leisure

• Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure – businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year.
• Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure – a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property for businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector in England.

Employees

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – HMRC will pay employers a grant worth 80% of a furloughed employee’s usual wage costs (up to £2,500 a month) to prevent lay-offs.

Self-employed workers

• The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme – the scheme will provide a grant to self-employed individuals or partnerships, worth 80% of their profits up to a cap of £2,500 per month.
• Support for Businesses Paying Tax – all businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service
• Deferral of Self-Assessment payment – self-assessment payments due to HMRC by 31 July 2020 may be deferred until January 2021.

For more information and eligibility criteria for all of these schemes, please see the government website which also has details for how to contact their business support team.

If you fall between the cracks of these schemes and think you are not eligible for any government support, please contact me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk and I will do my best to assist you.

Useful Links

Employment Issues

ACAS employment advice: Helpline 0300 123 1100 / https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses

Health & Safety Executive: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm

Support for businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Lay-offs and short-time working: https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking

Businesses

Coronavirus Business Advice – including business closures, stay at home FAQs, self-employment income support scheme, and more: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-advice/

Claim for wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – a guide for employers.  includes information relating to people on zero hours contracts: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Competitions and Markets Authority – report concerns about business practices, including shops raising prices: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cma-covid-19-response

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme/

Coronavirus Financial Support: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/

Federation of Small Businesses: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

HMRC Tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) – news article: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19 leads to helpline: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/coronavirus-covid-19-helpline

Information on support for self-employed individuals: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-gives-support-to-millions-of-self-employed-individuals

Information Commissioner: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-coronavirus/

Coronavirus: what IPSE (Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed) is doing and advice for freelancers and the self-employed: https://www.ipse.co.uk/ipse-news/news-listing/coronavirus-ipse-activity-and-advice-freelancers.html and IPSA Coronavirus hub: https://www.ipse.co.uk/coronavirus-hub.html

Royal Mail: https://www.royalmail.com/coronavirus?iid=HP_M2_2_CORONAVIRUS

TUC: https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-unions

I know many of my constituents are concerned about how they will pay their monthly outgoings during the COVID-19 pandemic; below are some links that may help. If you find that these websites do not address your questions and concerns, please do contact me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk and I will do my best to assist you.

Mortgage holidays

The mortgage payment holiday allows you to postpone or reduce your mortgage payments for three months. The first step is to contact your bank; please do not cancel your payments without telling them, as these will be classified as missed payments and may show up in your credit history. Check if you have insurance that will cover your mortgage payments if you cannot pay them (for example, mortgage payment protection insurance or through your current account). Some mortgage providers are introducing other support for customers whose income is affected by the coronavirus outbreak. These may include no fees for late payments and switching to a lower interest rate. This website has more information about mortgages.

Renters

There is a ban on evictions for 3 months, which the government says they will extend if necessary. If you cannot pay your rent, discuss this with your landlord in the first instance. If they will not or cannot be flexible with rent payments and you have no other source of help, please do write to me. This website has more information for people who are struggling to pay their rent.

Bills

Speak to your energy supplier if you’re struggling financially or in arrears with gas or electricity bills. You could get support including:

• reduced bills or debt repayments
• a temporary break in your bills or debt arrangements

If you have a pre-payment meters they may be able to, for example:

• arrange for someone else to top up your meter
• add credit to your account automatically
• send you a pre-loaded top up card

You may need to leave your meter box unlocked if you need someone else to top it up. Disconnections of pre-payment meters are suspended. Get in contact with your providers to check what options are available to you.

                Useful links

Energy, gas and bills

British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19

Ebico: https://ebico.org.uk/ebico-news/coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-announcement/

E.on: https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update.html

O2: https://www.o2.co.uk/covid-19

Ofgem: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-energy-supply

Shell Energy: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/service

Three Mobile: http://www.three.co.uk/stay-connected

United Utilities: https://www.unitedutilities.com/Coronavirus-update/

Vodafone: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/coronavirus-advice

Yorkshire Water: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/coronavirus/

Banks, Building Societies and Money

Bank of Scotland: https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/coronavirus.html

Barclays: https://www.barclays.co.uk/coronavirus/

Bradford and Bingley: https://www.bbg.co.uk/personal-support

Co-op Bank: https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/news/2020/coronavirus-support-personal-customers

Help Musicians Coronavirus Hardship Fund: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu

HSBC: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/coronavirus/

Lloyds: https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/coronavirus.html

Money Advice Service: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

More Than Insurance: https://www.morethan.com/coronavirus/

Natwest: https://personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/article/paypal%E2%80%99s-response-to-the-coronavirus-(covid-19)-pandemic-&-faqs-faq4003?Z3JncnB0=

Royal Bank of Scotland: https://personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html

Santander: https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/coronavirus?icid=php-Hero-Coronavirus-0320

TSB: https://www.tsb.co.uk/coronavirus/

When the ‘lockdown’ was announced on 23 March, campaigners against domestic abuse were quick to point out the negative impact this could have on vulnerable women. They were right. The National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls in two weeks, and visits to their website are up 150% in comparison to last month. For many women, home is not a safe place.

 Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, explains that many perpetrators already use isolation as a tool of control. The lockdown measures have restricted women’s ability to escape, instead meaning they are spending concentrated periods of time with perpetrators, potentially escalating the threat of domestic abuse.

I agree with the government that domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, no matter what stresses you are under. The lockdown is no excuse for abuse and we must provide comprehensive support to everyone facing domestic violence at this time.

Domestic abuse is more that physical violence. It can also include economic, online, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as coercive control. If you believe you are being abused, there is help and support available for you. You can find a list of emergency numbers, charities and services here. This website has advice for employers and survivors alike during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government’s response so far has acknowledged the increase in domestic abuse and the need to help the people (mainly women) experiencing it. However, a group of charities and service providers in this area wrote to the Prime Minister on 3 April to highlight the need for further action. They called for:

• Funding for the specialist support sector
• Crisis response planning which involves abuse experts
• Stronger public messaging about abuse
• Equal protection for migrant survivors

I have written to Victoria Atkins (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Safeguarding) and Liz Truss (Secretary of State for Women and Equalities) to add my voice to these demands, urging the government to increase funding for local organisations in particular. In my constituency, charities such as Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership do incredibly important work supporting vulnerable women, and their local knowledge gives them a special expertise.  

I am heartened by how people are looking out for each other at this time – and I urge you to be extra vigilant for signs of domestic abuse in your colleagues, friends, neighbours and family. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline website has advice for how to support survivors.

I will continue to push the government for an urgent response to the points raise by domestic abuse charities. These policies aren’t abstract; women’s lives depend on them and we must get them right.

In the past week, I have been focused on Huddersfield’s many charities and third sector organisations which provide crucial support to many vulnerable people across my constituency and the country more widely. The Covid-19 outbreak is going to have a profound impact on many sectors and industries – charities will not be exempt from the immense disruption and uncertainty that this international challenge has generated.

I joined hundreds of colleagues in signing Stephen Doughty MP’s open letter to the Chancellor this week. Stephen stated: “Without an immediate injection of money, many charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises of all sizes will soon close. Funds are running out. Crucially, the NCVO predicts that there will be a loss in the sector of £4.3bn in income over the coming 12 weeks. The figure could be far higher.”

From the Forget Me Not Hospice to the Welcome Centre, charities in my constituency do a huge amount to support the people of Yorkshire, often through highly challenging and distressing moments of their lives. I am proud to say that I have worked with many of them for a long time and met many exceptional people as a result. But Covid-19 is threatening these charities and putting their capacity to continue to operate in the long-term at risk.

This week, I have asked third sector workers to write to me with their experiences of how their work is being affected by the outbreak. I also want to know how Covid-19 is impacting the fundraising, profile and general operation of these groups. If you do have any personal experience of this, please email me at barry.sheerman.office@parliament.uk.

It is my belief that the Government has a central role to play in supporting charities and third sector workers and the financial support offered to businesses should not be at the expense of a bailout for the third sector, should the situation worsen. Many in our communities rely on the work that a third sector organisation does and the challenges that Covid-19 pose will lead to a chain reaction which will profoundly and adversely impact those who rely on them. It is our duty to mitigate the damage done to our country’s charities and I will continue to do all I can to represent the views of Huddersfield’s charities.

The Welcome Centre runs a foodbank service which will be used by many individuals and families adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis in the coming weeks.

Forget Me Not hospice does amazing work supporting children with life-shortening conditions and their families.

The Laura Crane Trust supports children and young people with cancer, many of whom are in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ category for COVID-19.

In the last few days, I have received many emails from constituents about the difficulties they have had in buying the food they need. I want to thank those who took the time to get in touch and assure you that I am in communication with local supermarkets, raising your concerns and working towards solutions.

In the meantime, I have pulled together information from many of the main supermarkets about their response to the COVID19 outbreak, including set-aside hours for the vulnerable and NHS workers, product restrictions and new opening times. You can find the table below.

I know many of you have been unable to book online delivery slots, which is particularly worrying for those who are self-isolating. If you are vulnerable, Sainsbury’s are introducing a scheme to reserve delivery slots for you – you can find out more information here or by calling 0800 328 1700, and register as vulnerable here which will place you on the supermarket’s priority list. Please pass on this information to any vulnerable people you know who may not have access to the internet.

Vulnerable people include:

• Organ transplant recipients
• People with certain cancers
• People with severe respiratory conditions
• People on immunosuppression therapies
• People with diseases that significantly increase the risk of infection s
• Pregnant women with significant heart disease

The NHS is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice. Those in these group will get a phone number to ring if they need support accessing food or medicine.

If you think you fall into one of the categories of extremely vulnerable people listed above and you have not received a letter by Sunday 29 March or been contacted by your GP, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.

I hope that the information about supermarkets below is useful, and that you and your families are all keeping well at this difficult time. As ever, please do get in touch with me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk if you need any assistance over the coming days and weeks. Together, we will weather this.  

	Weekday opening hours	NHS workers slot?	Vulnerable & elderly people slot?	Product restrictions	Online delivery	More info
Aldi	8am-8pm – find your local	Sun 9.30-10am	/	4 of any one item	Yes	Here
Asda	24hr stores closed between 12am and 6am – find your local	Mon, Wed, Fri 8-9am	/	3 of any one item	Yes	Here
Coop	Most open 7am-8pm – find your local	Mon-Sat 8-9am; Sun 10-11am	Mon-Sat 8-9am; Sun 10-11am	2 of in-demand items	Yes – max 20 products	Here
Lidl	Mostly unchanged – find your local	/	/	4 of in-demand items	No	Here
Morrisons	Mostly unchanged – find your local	Mon – Sat, 7-8am	Mon – Sat, 9-10am	Cleaning products restricted	Yes (app is down; use website)	Here
Sainsbury’s	8am – 8pm – find your local	Every day 7.30-8am	Mon, Wed, Fri 8-9am	3 of any one item (2 of in-demand items)	Yes (priority slots for vulnerable customers, see here)	Here
Tesco	6am – 10pm for large stores- find your local	One hour before usual opening time on Sunday	Mon, Wed, Fri 9-10am	3 of any one item (2 of in-demand items)	Yes	Here
Waitrose	Varies by store – find your local	Hard to find product set aside; priority checkout	First hour of opening in each store	3 of groceries; 2 of toilet roll	Yes	Here

With an increasing number of coronavirus cases being reported in West Yorkshire, I urge all my constituents to take precautions to protect themselves and the vulnerable people they interact with.

On Thursday 12^th March, the Government announced they were moving from the contain phase to the delay phase. Whilst the contain phase focused on limiting the spread of the virus, the delay phase is focused on reducing the amount of people ill at the same time; a huge spike in cases would overstrain the NHS.

Much of the advice from the previous phase remains relevant: wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, use a tissue for coughs and self-isolate if you experience symptoms of the virus, namely a dry cough fever and breathing difficulties. It may well be wise to avoid large gatherings and, if you are particularly at risk because of age or underlying health conditions, avoid leaving the house if you can help it.

Do be looking out for each other and supporting your neighbours who are more at risk, perhaps by offering to go shopping for them or by phoning them if they are self-isolating and potentially lonely. I have great faith that we will pull together as a community and get through the worst of this, however long it takes.

Whilst I have unfortunately had to postpone advice services and surgeries, I will continue to monitor my email, so do get in contact with me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk if I can be of any help at this time – or if you need simply pointing in the direction of the right services.

I have pulled together some information and support links below.