I understand what an incredibly difficult time it is. Therefore, I wanted to write to update you on useful information and let you know what I am doing as your MP.

Council updates

Cllr Gareth Roberts and Richmond Council have been working exceptionally hard to ensure services are available and accessible to those who need them. For key information and regular updates on what the council is doing please see their website.

Where to go for help

The council has set up a helpline called the Community Hub. So, if you or someone you know needs support you can contact them on 0208 871 6555 or at [email protected]. For all medical enquiries please continue to contact the NHS on 111.nhs.uk or on 111.

How to help

There has been some great community spirit with many coming out to help those in need. To ensure this help can be delivered safely and effectively, Richmond CVS is working with Age UK and local groups. So, if you are an individual, business or local voluntary group wanting to help, please sign up to their volunteering database here.

MOTs

As of 30 March, vehicle owners have been granted a 6-month exemption from MOT testing. This will enable people to travel to work when this absolutely cannot be done from home amid the pandemic. The advice is here.

Self-report your symptoms

There is an app that has been launched with researchers at Guy's & St Thomas' & King's college to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. You can self-report your symptoms daily, even if you feel well, to help the researchers map where the coronavirus is spreading. You can download the app here.

Standing up for your concerns

I have been receiving hundreds of emails and phone calls per day. My small team and I are prioritising these as best we can and will respond to your enquiries as quickly as possible.

Self-employed and small businesses

With over 11,000 local residents being self-employed, I and the Liberal Democrats had been pressing government hard to make support available to this group. I was very pleased when measures were announced last week.

However, many self-employed individuals have got in touch because they have been left out of the government's financial support programmes.

These include self-employed PAYE freelance contractors, those who pay themselves dividends from personal service companies, those earning just over the £50,000 threshold and start-ups with no tax returns in 2018/19.

A large number of small businesses are not eligible for the grants that government has made available because of the narrow criteria, and there have been many challenges with accessing the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme.

I've written to the Chancellor urging him to address these issues and I will continue to press the government to support those who have fallen through the cracks of the government's packages. I've also written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to raise several specific issues that local businesses have raised with me.

Residents stranded abroad

Scores of constituents have been stranded abroad in the last few weeks, with some in a desperate position, unsure whether they will be able to secure accommodation or access adequate supplies. My team has been working around the clock with the Foreign Office to try and get them home.

After weeks of pressing, I welcomed the latest news that the Government is negotiating access to airspace where this is closed and has struck a deal with airlines to repatriate UK nationals.

This is still not happening quickly enough, particularly for those stuck in New Zealand, Australia and India. I am continuing to press for urgent action.

PPE, testing and supporting NHS staff

Many of you have written to me about the lack of proper protective equipment for our frontline health and care workers.

I agree and it is totally unacceptable. I have challenged ministers directly on this and continue to highlight the issue.

Those looking after our loved ones deserve to know they are being kept as safe as possible.

I welcome this week's announcements to ramp up testing, which has been a big concern that I have raised with ministers. It's absolutely critical more frontline staff can be tested as quickly as possible, in order that those who are healthy can get back to work, if they're currently self-isolating.

I have also signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for the creation of a Coronavirus Compensation Scheme for frontline workers.

Thank you

I have found the #clapforcarers moment particularly moving these last two Thursdays. Where I live in Whitton, I have been surrounded by the sound of clapping, cheering and the banging of pots and pans in appreciation of our fantastic frontline workers in health and social care.

They, along with teachers, those working in supermarkets, collecting our rubbish and other key workers are helping to keep our country going through incredibly difficult times - the best way we can help them is by staying home and staying safe, especially this sunny weekend we are expecting.

If you need to get in touch, please email me on [email protected]

Best wishes,

Munira Wilson

MP for Twickenham, Teddington, the Hamptons, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill and Whitton.

Follow me on Twitter: @munirawilson

Follow me on my Facebook page here

http://www.trlibdems.org.uk/