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Last week, we received an update to Leicester’s lockdown restrictions.

Our hairdressers, pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants can re-open, and people can go on holiday with their own household. However, leisure centres, gyms and pools are still closed, and you cannot meet up with other households indoors.

This has been an unbelievably difficult period for our city but people’s hard work and sacrifices have paid off. However, the Government’s handling of this lockdown has been totally shambolic and lessons must be learnt for the future to prevent other areas going through the same.

Keep up to date with the latest guidance on coronavirus at Leicester City Council’s website.

Following lobbying from the city’s MPs, the Government have made £2.6m available to support Leicester’s economy. While it is less than the £10m that Leicester City Council asked for, it is still a welcome step to help the city recover from lockdown, and many businesses will be relieved to know that further funding support is being made available.

You can keep up to date with the latest local information on coronavirus on Leicester City Council’s website. 

My constituency office has moved from 42 Narborough Road to West End Neighbourhood Centre, Andrewes Street, Leicester LE3 5PA.

My contact number and email address remain the same.

Whilst my office is closed to the public in line with Government advice on Covid-19, and will remain so until it is safe to reopen, my team are still working remotely to help constituents. So do please call 0116 204 4980 or email liz.kendall.mp {at} parliament(.)uk if you need my help, and one of the team will respond as soon as possible.

As always, please do keep up to date with the latest guidance on Coronavirus in Leicester here: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus/.

 

It was great to meet with members of the Mental Health Policy Group, alongside our Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Rosena Allin-Khan. 

 

We had the opportunity to hear about the work they have been delivering on mental health and wellbeing, and the vision they have put together for creating a mentally healthier society.

 

The perfect storm of health inequality began long before coronavirus, but the virus has exposed it. Since the pandemic began, 79% of people with existing mental health conditions say their condition has got worse. Additionally, health and social care workers have reported an increase in mental health issues, as a result of the pandemic.

 

However, this virus has given us an opportunity to call for change. Polling shows that social care and supporting those with mental health problems are now key issues for the general public. We now have the chance to make big changes to the way we currently do things – and get a better deal for health and social care.

 

Tackling mental health in society is good for everyone, and we cannot afford to ignore the impact this virus has had. Action needs taking to ensure that mental health and wellbeing is a top priority for the Government.

 

The Mental Health Policy Group have proposed a social contract for a mentally healthier society, alongside many other charities, which you can read online.

Lockdown has been a real challenge for the city of Leicester.

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to tackle this virus, we will get through this together and come out of this stronger.