KIRKCALDY and Cowdenbeath MP Neale Hanvey is hoping to be able to help constituents with some queries they may have as the battle against coronavirus goes into an important stage.

He has written a letter to everyone of them, but has decided against sending it out via post to avoid putting added pressure on the Royal Mail and to avoid further risk of infection.

He has placed it on his Facebook page which can be easily accessed but this week we are delighted to be able to carry a lot of the letter which offers news of what has been going on at Parliament and also valuable contacts.

The letter also contains details of various actions Neale has been taking to support his constituents during the coronavirus outbreak both in Westminster and back in the constituency.

Said Mr Hanvey: "I wanted to provide you with a summary of some of the action I have been taking as your local MP to support my constituents through this crisis.

"Throughout the final few days of the Parliamentary session at Westminster, I took every opportunity to ask the UK Government about the issues that individuals, organisations and businesses in my constituency have raised with me. This included: • asking the Prime Minister about harnessing international efforts to establish an effective treatment protocol in advance of developing a vaccine; • highlighting the economic impact on traders after the Links Market was cancelled for the first time in 700 years; • urging the Government to speak to the leaders of the major supermarkets about securing vital supplies for food banks after I discovered that Kirkcaldy Foodbank was having problems with supply locally; • calling on employers to act responsibly and follow Government guidance to protect workers and customers, and ensure that no employee faces losing their income if they fall ill; • pressing the Chancellor to provide tax relief for frontline public servants to ensure they are fully rewarded for their selfless and heroic work; • advocating that quantitative easing is not the way forward for economic recovery once the coronavirus crisis is over, and that instead the Government should be cracking down on the big businesses that have been avoiding and evading tax, forcing them to pay their fair share.

"You can watch all of my contributions in the House of Commons on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NealeHanveyMP/.

"Back in the constituency, my team and I have been receiving a high volume of enquiries from employees concerned that the non-essential businesses they work for are refusing to close despite Government guidance. I have taken these reports extremely seriously and have written to the companies in question to remind them of their responsibilities towards their staff’s safety and that of the wider public".

He added: "I must pay credit to the incredible work being done by Fife Voluntary Action right now. They have set up a ‘helping hand’ service to connect volunteers with people who need help with things like safe deliveries of prescriptions and food supplies.

"Third sector organisations are doing a power of work, now more than ever, to help us all through this difficult time and we owe a debt of gratitude to them and those of you who have selflessly volunteered to support the most vulnerable people in your community in their hour of need.

If you need any help or advice, please refer to one of the many helplines or websites enclosed, or contact my office on one of the temporary phone numbers or email address below.

"Most importantly, please follow Government advice – stay at home, only go out if it’s essential, observe social distancing and wash your hands regularly – and keep yourself and your family safe".

Among the Useful Helplines Mr Hanvey added to his letter are, NHS Scotland Coronavirus General Advice Helpline: 0800 028 2816. Business Support Helpline: 0300 303 0660. HMRC Helpline: 0800 015 9559. Age Scotland Helpline: 0800 12 44 222. Breathing Space Scotland Mental Health Helpline: 0800 83 85 87. Samaritans: 116 123 (or email jo@samaritans.org). Parentline Scotland Helpline: 0800 028 2233

Useful Websites, Scottish Government: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Fife Council: https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/health-and-social-care2/coronavirus-covid-19 Age Scotland: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice/health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus/ Information for travellers: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/coronavirus-disease-covid-19 Ofgem advice on energy supply: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-energy-supply Scottish Government advice for businesses: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) guidance for small businesses and the self-employed: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

SCVO Third Sector Information Hub: https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus

 

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