Last week I wrote to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock to raise my serious concerns about the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing for staff in residential care homes.

It is increasingly clear that the lack of PPE and testing is a widespread problem throughout the care sector, affecting home care staff and Personal Assistants employed by Direct Payments too.

This week my team and I contacted all adult social care agencies in Leicester West. Just three reported having adequate supplies of PPE. Fourteen reported that they were in danger of running out of PPE within days, and were concerned about sourcing other essential items from their usual suppliers. Constituents have also contacted me about the lack of PPE available to people who employ Personal Assistants via Direct Payments.

We desperately need clear leadership and a clear national strategy for social care to ensure all care workers get the testing and PPE they need. Without this, the virus will rapidly spread amongst some of the most vulnerable people in society.

You can read the full letter here.