I understand what an incredibly difficult time it is.

Therefore, I wanted to write to provide you with useful information and update you on what I am doing as your MP.

Heathrow

In February, the Court Of Appeal ruled the construction of a 3rd runway at Heathrow to be illegal, finding it not consistent with the Paris agreement.

However, last week, Heathrow was granted permission to appeal the judgment, which will now happen on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th October. I have and will continue to fight against the development of a 3rd runway.

I regularly get emails about the number of flights overhead, given people are not meant to be travelling.

One explanation for this is the large increase in cargo-only flights Heathrow has been seeing. During the week beginning 27 April, for example, cargo-only flights saw a 1,334% weekly increase in comparison to pre-COVID 19 levels.

Public transport

As of Monday, South Western Railway has increased train capacity, following the change in government guidelines. Passengers are urged to:

• only make essential journeys
• try to buy your ticket online
• follow social distancing
• wear a face covering

TfL has asked me to pass on the same advice. Additionally:

• Plan ahead and travel outside the busiest times if possible. These are 05:45 to 08:15 and 16:00-17:30
• Avoid busy interchanges

Also, the Congestion Charge, Low Emission Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was reintroduced on Monday 18th May.

If your place of work is located inside the Congestion Charging Zone and you are an employee of an NHS Trust, the London Ambulance Service or a care home, please speak to your employer about the NHS reimbursement scheme.

[.B]Key links for financial support and advice[.B]

The government has set up a dedicated support page where businesses can find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of coronavirus.

You can see the link here

Also, here are some key areas:

• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
• Job retention scheme
• Tax-free childcare and 30 hours free childcare
• Recognising, avoiding and reporting scams

Standing up for your concerns

Calling on the government to meet the local SEND funding gap

Last week, Cllr Robin Brown, Richmond council officers and I met the minister for Children and Families to discuss special educational needs and disability(SEND) funding in Richmond.

There is currently a £15 million government funding shortfall for SEND. Richmond Council and I are calling on the government to make up this shortfall, so everyone can have access to the education they deserve and the council's finances are not put at risk.

Supporting unpaid carers

I asked the government to boost support for unpaid carers, many of whom are suffering even more financial pressure than usual during the coronavirus crisis, as well as losing respite care and other support they usually rely on.

Rehabilitation programme – physiotherapists and occupational therapists

I'm very pleased to be leading cross-party calls urging the government to ensure every patient being discharged will have timely access to a rehabilitation programme, whatever they are recovering from.

There will undoubtedly be a tsunami of rehabilitation needs as the country recovers from the pandemic. The government must take actions now to scale up provision and meet this demand.

Championing our social care workforce and those receiving care

In a debate on coronavirus in the House of Commons last week, I spoke about the importance of valuing and protecting our social care workforce by providing the right protective equipment and adequate as well as fast access to testing. Social care must not play second fiddle to the NHS and this crisis must now lead to urgent reform of our care sector.

If you need to get in touch, please email me on [email protected] - Please do not reply to this email.

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