The House of Commons will reconvene on Tuesday, 21st April, and the Speaker has made accommodations so parliamentary business can function with a combination of social distancing measures and videoconferencing to ensure that MPs can carry out their duties with minimal disruption.
MPs have been asked to use remote conferencing where possible to avoid being physically present in the chamber. When it is necessary to attend proceedings in person, strict social distancing procedures will be implemented. It must be remembered that many MPs, Peers and staff meet the criteria for ‘shielding’ or live with someone who does.
The past few weeks have been a historic time in our country’s history and is vitally important to keep parliamentary democracy running at this time, allowing MPs to debate and legislate solutions. The number of enquiries and requests for support from my constituents have been unprecedented, and I am pleased that Government support has been reaching residents and businesses in Telford. Many of the support schemes have been constituted in very short time, and colleagues at the Treasury are revising them when improvements can be made.
A daily briefing for journalists is no substitute for parliamentary scrutiny and too often the issues my constituents want answered are not raised with Ministers. I have been lobbying Ministers and the Council to ensure that my constituents’ cases are heard by the Government and that schemes are revised to ensure the maximum possible coverage. I would like to thank Ministers who have been amazingly responsive to a massive number of casework enquiries and who are working hard to ensure that those who need support can access it. I will continue to make representations on behalf of my constituents in Parliament to ensure their voices are heard.
Any constituent can contact Lucy to make an enquiry by email at: [email protected]
You can also visit Lucy's coronavirus hub to read guidance, details of support schemes and medical advice here.
