The official coronavirus UK death toll today is 37,048. I urge all of my constituents to stay safe and to stay home as much as possible.
Dominic Cummings
I have had many many corrospondences regarding Dominic Cummings. The anger is very real and has lead to a huge mistrust not only in the Government but in the advice in general. I made a full statement on this which can be found here. I have also compiled some extracts of the emails that I have been recieving during the past few days and I am sure you will be as moved as me to read them. They get to the heart of why this is such a big issue for people. You can read this here.
Test and Trace announcement
The Government has announced that local councils will be at the heart of leading the national test and tracing programme. The Government will provide funding to develop local outbreak control plans.
I broadly welcome this step. It is what local authorities including Leeds have been asking for as local authorities have the required expertise through public and environmental health. The Government must ensure proper data sharing with councils and powers to intervene if spikes occur. It is also important to stress that the responsibility for the success of track and trace lies with the Government. Localising the roll out cannot mean devolving responsibility. Time is running out.
Yorkshire MPs ‘there with you’ video
My Yorkshire colleagues and I produced this video message to all key workers who have done so much at this very difficult time. The video is done in partnership with the Yorkshire Post and also celebrates those journalists who have been working so hard to give us proper news during this crisis. It is important we support our local news. We will miss it if it goes.
Eid ul-Fitr
I send my very best wishes to all Muslims in Leeds on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr this weekend. Eid is a great time of joy and celebration. Whilst this year your celebrations will be very different, I do hope that you are able to enjoy your time at home with your families . During Ramadan, Muslims in Leeds have shown exemplary discipline and strength. I understand, and appreciate, the sacrifices made by the Muslim community during this time.