Jim McMahon OBE, Member of Parliament for Oldham West and Royton, has today backed the ‘Time Out to Help Out’ campaign proposed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotherham, and the TUC. The campaign seeks to mitigate against those who would lose out on pay if requested to self-isolate, and therefore be unable to pay their bills, by calling for employees to still be paid their full wage if they are self-isolating and unable to work from home.
Mr McMahon said, “We should be doing everything we can to help everyone do the right thing, short of a vaccine Test and Trace is our best method of opening back up and getting people back in work. But it won’t work if people are unable to follow requests to self-isolate, especially if that means between choosing between paying the bills or not.”
“The ‘Time Out to Help Out’ campaign would remove that choice, it would ensure that some of our lowest paid workers, the self-employed, and those for whom Statutory Sick Pay represents a huge fall in income, can do their bit and take some time out to help out.”
“Until we sort this problem out there is still going to be a massive issue with our national effort to combat Covid-19. I think the comparison to jury service is a good one, self-isolating to combat the coronavirus is a civic duty and we don’t expect people to not get paid when they’re called to serve on a jury.”
It’s good to see GMP and Oldham Council working together to combat the dangerous behaviour of loan sharks, they prey on those who more often than not can least afford it.
With the financial pressures that Covid has brought to many across Oldham we need to get the message across how important it is not to turn to Loan Sharks.What can start of as a small loan to get you through the next week or month can soon become something that lasts for years to come, costs much more than you originally intended and often lead to violent intimidation.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a Loan Shark, call the 24/7 confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222, email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or use the online reporting form at: www.stoploansharks.co.uk
A good alternative for those in need of financial help is the Oldham Credit Union, the OCU is a not-for-profit financial co-operative, it is owned and run by its members. the OCU exists to promote financial inclusion within the Borough of Oldham and to make a key contribution to our towns economy.
The credit union doesn’t need to be just for those in need of help, anyone who lives or works in the Borough and is over 16 can become a member for free, more details about that can be found here: oldhamcreditunion.co.uk/
At the start of August the government’s failure to fund free TV licences for those 75 years old and over meant that 3,930 households in Oldham West and Royton no longer qualify for the for a free TV license.
That’s equal to 70% of 75-and over households in the constituency. Free TV licenses remain available for those in receipt of Pension Credit, but there is some concern that people eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it.
Reacting to the news, Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon said, “It was a good decision by the BBC back in June to delay the implementation of the changes to free TV licenses, it wasn’t a good decision allow them to go ahead on August 1st though.”
“We’ve been asking those over-75 to isolate themselves and take extra-precaution over the last few months so for many of them their TV will have been the only source company whilst not being able to see their families and friends. It just seems cruel to take this away now.”
“Not least we’re still in the middle of the pandemic, people need to be able to access news and information about the rules and restrictions now more than ever. Last week showed how confusing it can be when new guidance is issued locally, we need to be ensuring that people have access to information and surely our public broadcaster should be at the forefront.”
“We know that government will try and blame the BBC for this, because like always it will pass the buck, but it’s important to remember that it’s the result of a government decision to withdraw the funding that the BBC has had to go down this route.”
“If you’re going to be impacted by these changes you should receive a letter from the TV Licensing setting out your options, and it might well be worth low-income pensioners in Oldham West and Royton looking into whether they’re eligible for Pension Credit and can retain the free TV license.”
Today marks a year since the unilateral revocation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, meaning it has been a year since Indian-administered Kashmir had its special status taken away.
It’s been a year where people in Oldham have been constantly worried about the safety of their friends and family members in the region, we’ve seen massive clampdowns on important freedoms that we take for granted – although some have been lifted now, and then with the pandemic that has affected us all so much the people of Kashmir have in effect been subject to a double lockdown.
I think in the last year we have seen good cross-party progress on this issue, and that has to be crucial in everything we do. We have to work together to highlight and prevent any and all human rights abuses in the region.
The human rights violations are well documented, and the international community should do more, as should the UK government, to uphold the standards and protect people from harm. The UK government has shown a disregard for those affected.
We all recognise that progress will not be made until Indian and Pakistan come together and show a willingness to cooperate to resolve issues of tension between the two nations.
Our responsibility is both a moral one, that we call out human rights abuses where we see them, and an historic one, recognising that the current dispute is a legacy of the British rule.
I know just how important a cause this is to many people here in Oldham, I will always remember the solidarity shown here in Oldham at the event we held when the original lockdown came into place last year. It wasn’t just a conflict taking place in a foreign country, this was touching people right here in Oldham in their hearts and homes.
I will continue to work with my colleagues on the APPG for Kashmir to build support across parliament to finally end the human rights abuses, and though it currently feels a distant ambition; to support self-determination by Kashmir people.
It’s been quite a week here in Oldham, a spike in positive Coronavirus cases means that the council introduced new public health guidance to try and curb the spread and prevent an extremely damaging full local lockdown and a deadly second wave.
It’s so important ahead of the hot weather this weekend that we remember the virus hasn’t gone away and we must remain vigilant and follow the advice in every way possible.
Late last night government announced new restrictions now apply across Oldham and Greater Manchester, this new guidance goes further than the previous guidance in Oldham did. It can be found here and clarifies what a support bubble is, the new restrcitions on meeting friends and family outside your household and what it means for those celebrating eid today https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
In the video below you can hear my thoughts on the new local guidance, on the need to follow it and the damage that Covid has done to our town.
News that tighter restrictions will be in place from today in Oldham will come as a huge blow to all of us who were hoping that last week’s decreasing infection rate published by the Mayor of Greater Manchester were a sign that we were heading the right way.
The article I wrote (here) following the publication of those figures gives context as to some of the everyday challenges our borough faces, and so I won’t repeat much of that but instead to focus on where we find ourselves and what the restrictions mean.
In the week ending 25th July we have seen 119 new cases, and for comparison the previous week saw only 26 positive cases. This means the number of positive tests per 100,000 people stands at 50.2, where the week before it was much lower at 10.2.
There is a particular concern around young people, and data still being explored by public health officials on communities dis-proportionally affected by housing overcrowding and occupational risk, which is subject also to national government review.
Some of the increase in detection of Covid-19 could be explained by moving to test all household members when one person is tested positive. In larger multi-generational households (grandparents living with family and children) the risk of spread is much greater.
It is important to say that almost every part of the borough has witnessed positive test results, and as such we all must be vigilant and do all we can.
With many businesses operating as normal safety in the workplace is vital. From the outset of the virus I and other MPs have been supporting hundreds of warehouse and distribution workers where many were being forced to choose between keeping safe and putting food on the table; while our interventions have led to some improvement, we remain concerned.
Nationally, it is male workers in factories and warehouses, security and cleaning, retail workers and those in care, leisure and service occupations who were most at risk of dying from Covid-19, and then other multi contact jobs such as transport workers including bus and taxi drivers. For women care and home care occupations, and those in retail were found to be at an enhanced risk.
Oldham has not been subjected to full lock down restrictions as seen in Leicester, but the government may choose to impose them if the infection rate doesn’t show signs of decreasing. So, we must all take action to prevent what could be a significant impact on our slowly gained return to normality; in the context of none of this being the ‘normal’ we were used too, and it won’t be for some time yet.
The updated local public health guidance which residents are being asked to follow is below:
• Do not make social visits to friends or family, or have visitors to their home
• Do not visit friends or family in care homes or sheltered accommodation
• Stick to social distancing guidelines, keeping two metres away from people not in their household or support bubble – meaning no hand shaking or hugging
• Those on the shielding register should continue to take care
A sign at Southgate Testing Site
But many other things remain as they currently are. Businesses and community facilities which have been allowed to reopen as part of the easing of lockdown in England will remain open. In addition, the planned reopening of leisure centres will continue.
While inside safe practices can be managed, it is important too that outside people are not gathering with members outside their own household without observing the two-metre rule with no more than six people from different households.
With pubs reopening and the summer season and with many not now going abroad it is important that not just within the pub, but also in the immediate area outside. The same is true of outdoor play areas which in the hotter days quickly become crowded, both will be a focus with the ‘hottest day of the year’ predicted this weekend.
Likewise, as we approach Eid on Thursday the traditional Friday prayers are an important part of observing the festival. With plans to manage safe worshipping inside, the same rules must be adhered to outside to keep us safe.
There is a natural challenge which is the conflict of restricting visitors to a home, but not to a local restaurant, pub, bingo hall, place of worship and alike. The explanation is that in these premises the management/owners will be required to manage social distancing, the wearing of face coverings where required, hygiene measures, and how people practically use the venue, for instance reducing pinch points and marking out safe distancing.
The council has greater powers to close venues which do not adhere to these rules, including workplaces, should the need arise. They do not have the resources, or the powers, to do the same in households across the borough.
I know some of the restrictions will have a significant impact on local people, particularly those moments like visiting a loved one in a care home or sheltered accommodation, a planned children’s birthday party at home, a gathering following a funeral, and visiting friends and family at home during Eid too. None of these will be possible.
But we all must act and reduce the risk that the virus will spread further. The NHS advice to
try to stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble)
wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
wash your hands as soon as you get home
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
If you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it’s hard to stay away from other people
We know these remain difficult times and the impact on many has been profound. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 my office in Oldham has supported over 2,200 people and businesses employing thousands more. Please never feel you are alone, and if you are unsure how to get the help you need, we are here to help.
Finally, we cannot repeat often enough our respect and appreciation for our public sector workers, key workers including those in food retail and transport, and volunteers who have worked around the clock to support our community. Thank you to you all.
The restrictions placed are due to be reviewed no later than 11th August 2020.
From the outset of the Coronavirus outbreak my constituency casework inbox has been jampacked with now thousands of individual experiences where local people are feeling the immediate effect; both in health and in the workplace.
It should come as no surprise that those most impacted by the pandemic were those already left to fight to keep a roof over their heads, money coming in from work, and get through a stressful and demanding everyday experience. Add a global pandemic, chaotic intervention, fragmented financial support and an already fragile underlying economy; it shouldn’t have taken the government so long to fully realise this.
As we approach summer and school children already broken up for the summer holiday (for those who were in school to begin with), and with the natural human tendency to want to get back to normal we mustn’t allow ourselves to believe we are through the worst. For many much more is still to come, not least of all as the governments Furlough scheme reaches its cliff edge by October, and councils will be forced to make in year cuts to essential services, almost entirely because of the failure of central government to meet its promise to cover all the costs of Covid response.
Our borough has made huge progress, after months and months of constantly demanding up to date and accurate contact tracing we are beginning now to get a better overview of the infection rates across the area. What the latest data shows is encouraging, where reports four weeks ago placed us at 33.3% positive tests per 100,000 population, compared to 16.3% average across Greater Manchester. The latest figures show the largest reduction which now stands at 14.8% against a GM average of 12.3%.
There are many reasons why we remain at a higher risk including the nature of employment. We have been actively supporting workers in warehousing and distribution where social distancing and safe working practices were not being adhered to, while some progress has been made this remains a risk. We also have a large number of multi-generational housing and overcrowding which creates a greater risk of transmission. And of course, we have many in frontline work such as care home workers, transport workers and retail workers who are more exposed than the general population to becoming infected, and in fact of dying from the virus.
I have remained critical of the lack of financial support for those who become reliant on Statutory Sick Pay, which is nowhere near enough to cover the bills, and for those whose employment falls through the gap of existing support, nationally this is over 1 million people. And we know just how frustrating the support for newly self-employed people especially has been, with many of them finding that not only do they not qualify for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme – but that they are barred from accessing Universal Credit too.
Public events and gatherings also provide an increased risk and that was evident at Easter, the VE day celebrations, and the upcoming Eid celebrations where we all have to be vigilant, however difficult it can be, and that’s before you come to the illegal gatherings which beggar belief such as the scenes at Daisy Nook. But aside from this, more, much more, must be done to keep people safe in the workplace.
I find it staggering, but not surprising unfortunately, that our care home workers were ignored and denied the right protective equipment they deserve, which of course impacted on the high level of infection and deaths too. Even now as the government make much of the pay increase offered to doctors, our nurses and social care staff (many just on the minimum wage) are left ignored.
I want to thank all of our key workers across the public, voluntary and private sectors who have kept the country going. I’m incredibly proud of the work of Oldham people in that task, and for the care and commitment shown to those most effected. You are the best of us.
This is obviously not a leaderboard any of us here in Oldham want to be anywhere near the top of, young people in the most deprived areas of our country are suffering after ten years of Tory austerity.
Since 2010 almost nearly one-billion pounds has been taken out of youth services nationwide alone. When you take into account the impact of Tory cuts to our social security system it is no wonder these stats show what they do.
We know on the ground here in Oldham the Council and our fantastic community and voluntary sector are trying everyday to improve the lives of our young people, but the fight against poverty is not an easy one when these organisations have had the rug pulled out from underneath them.
The Covid crisis is likely to make this fight more difficult over the coming years, these stats do not take into account the job and income losses that we have already seen and the ones we know are coming.
We need to invest in all of our young people, we need to let them flourish and enjoy their youth no matter their background. Government needs to step up to prevent more young people from being trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 