Now that we have had the re-opening of most non-essential retail shops and the further loosening of restrictions, I want to do everything I can to support our local economy in Northampton.

In the last fortnight I was joined by a group of police officers and council leaders in a walk through part of the St David ward in Northampton.

This year, as ever, HM Armed Forces have been very busy around the world, despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, from maritime policing against drug runners in the Caribbean Sea to intercepting Russian warplanes off the coast of this country.

Thanks to everyone’s hard work, and with the current “R” (infection) rate now below 1 in all areas, from 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 in England people are able to meet in groups of up to six people from different households outside - in parks or now also in private gardens - as long as people observe a two-m

In the House of Commons on Wednesday 13th May 2020, the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP, reiterated how his Department have “worked closely with all the teaching unions and headteachers’ unions and with the sector”. 

The furlough scheme – or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – is a Government scheme to help people keep their jobs whilst they are unable to work due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Currently, furloughed workers across the UK receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 per month, from the Government.

Over the past fortnight I have been continuing to work from my home in Northampton in three main ways:

The coronavirus outbreak is of course impacting on everyone’s daily lives. This also includes individuals’ mental health.

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust will have their debt of £107.9-million debt written-off as part of the Government’s announcement to scrap £13.4 billion of NHS debt across England to support coronavirus efforts.

I have continued to work in three main ways from my home in Northampton during the past two weeks, whilst Parliament has not been sitting. My work encompasses: