When the circumstances change, it’s impossible to continue down the same path.
After speaking to local NHS leaders to get the latest information and having assessed the additional support in place for individuals and businesses, I reluctantly supported the measures put forward by the government.
Infections are rising across the country, including here in the South West and worryingly, across all age groups. Hospital admissions have increased at the RD&E. We have sadly seen deaths in both our main hospital and in our communities across East Devon.
None of us want a lockdown. I certainly don’t and fully understand the impact of these restrictions. However, we can’t risk overwhelming the NHS and that is a real concern according to local NHS leaders. We must ensure that our local NHS – GP and hospital services – continue to have capacity to treat people with non-covid conditions.
I’m also conscious of not increasing the burden on our brilliant NHS staff who have already put in an incredible shift since the start of the pandemic, as they always do. We are prepared for the worst in Devon with a Nightingale Hospital on standby in Exeter, but we must take steps to protect general surgeries and ensure access to healthcare is maintained.
The government’s economic priority remains the same: protect jobs.
That’s why job support for both employees (furlough) and the self-employed (SEISS) has been extended. Every business forced to close will receive grants of up to £3,000 to help them through this difficult period. I want to help provide a level of certainty for businesses which will need to adapt quickly in the coming days and will need further support.
I will work tirelessly to help anyone who appears to fall through the gaps and urge constituents to get in touch. I promise to explore every avenue to help.
These new national measures are time-limited. They began on 5th November 2020 and will expire on 2nd December 2020.
I have pushed the Prime Minister for these rules to face a vote in Parliament before they can be renewed. The Prime Minister agreed and I will carefully consider where we are at that time.
I rule nothing out when it comes to that vote.
In the meantime, we must do everything we can to help save lives by protecting the NHS, because we can’t afford to see services overwhelmed, unable to cope with an increase in cases locally and further disruption to healthcare services.
I would encourage you to please visit the following pages if you would like more information:
- Government guidance on the new national restrictions from 5th November 2020: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november
- Coronavirus community help in East Devon – updated and verified: https://www.simonjupp.org.uk/coronavirus-help-east-devon-november-2020
- New financial support for businesses and families: https://www.simonjupp.org.uk/new-financial-support-businesses-individuals-and-families
- My speech in Parliament on the new restrictions that was written but not delivered due to constraints on parliamentary time: https://www.simonjupp.org.uk/news/my-speech-new-restrictions