Dear Constituent,

We are going through an unprecedented and very worrying time. You may find it helpful to visit the websites below for key information and advice about coronavirus. This includes support for businesses, medical guidance (including looking after your mental health) and a reminder of the measures that we all need to adhere to in order to slow the spread of the virus.

Business support now includes greater help for self-employed workers – something I pressed the Chancellor on very heavily in my role as Chair of the Treasury Select Committee.

Key Links
Government Guidelines - www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Devon County Council - www.devon.gov.uk/document/coronavirus-advice-in-devon
Medical Advice - www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
Businesses Help - www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Employee Help - www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay, www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking
HMRC Coronavirus Helpline - 0800 015 9559
HMRC Self-Assessment Payment Helpline - 0300 200 3822

Local Support Groups
With help from my parliamentary office team, who remain fully operational working from home, I have also been in touch with numerous local support groups, local charities such as Age Concern and the Northern Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group regarding the use of Okehampton and Crediton Hospitals. If you are involved with a support group and want my help or advice please do not hesitate to contact me (mel.stride.mp@parliament.uk).

3-month mortgage/rent payment holiday
The Government has also negotiated with mortgage lenders so any homeowner or landlord can apply for a three-month mortgage payment holiday (with landlords then able to pass on rent holidays to their tenants). You don’t need to have contracted coronavirus to apply for a payment holiday, it is available to anyone concerned about their ability to meet their mortgage repayments.

Thank you to our key workers
Finally, a huge thank you to not only our wonderful NHS workers, but to everyone who is working tirelessly to get us through this pandemic, including our teachers, police officers, prison officers, social workers, care workers, refuse collectors, lorry drivers and those working in our pharmacies, supermarkets and other food outlets.

Take care and stay well.


Rt Hon Mel Stride MP

P.S. Like all MPs I am receiving considerably higher levels of correspondence than normal and I am working flat out to respond to everyone as quickly as I can.