April 2020
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for writing to me about coronavirus and the work of charities. I have read your email very carefully and I have noted the key points that you raise.
I am very sympathetic to your concerns, and would like to reassure you that ensuring our frontline staff are properly protected is of great importance to me and to my colleagues on all sides of Parliament. I know that my colleague Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is taking this issue extremely seriously. However, I will continue to scrutinise steps being taken to ensure that all health and social care staff, whether they work in the NHS or other care facilities, are adequately protected and able to carry out their vital roles safely.
I value the crucial role of the hospice sector in providing excellent end-of-life care across the country and agree that all people should have access to the highest quality palliative care.
As part of the package of support for charities, an extra £200 million has been announced for hospices, ensuring that organisations which support the most vulnerable people will have access to additional support at this difficult time. I fully support this step, and additionally welcome the £160 million from the Government for charities supporting disabled people, vulnerable children and victims of domestic abuse, as well as organisations like St John's Ambulance. The Government will match the fundraising efforts of the BBC Big Night In event on 23rd April, starting with at least £20 million to the National Emergencies Trust Appeal. £370 million funding from the National Lottery will also be made available to support small, local charities.
For more information please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-social-care-guidance
Thank you once again for writing to me about this important issue.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord
Member of Parliament for Woking