Fleetwood and Lancaster MP Cat Smith goes into self-isolation as 'one-year-old has symptoms'

The Fleetwood and Lancaster MP said: "I can’t be in Parliament today, or for the next couple of weeks, as my one-year-old has symptoms which means our household has to self-isolate for 14 days."

She added that she had hoped to ask the House of Commons about the government's recent announcement that all homeowners will be able to claim a three-month break from their mortgage repayments if they are unable to pay because of coronavirus.

She said: "A three month mortgage holiday for those who own their homes will be welcome relief for many, but we urgently need a comparable package for those who rent. A ban on evictions to ensure no one loses their home due to making the right decisions to protect their health and the health of others.

"Where is the package for self-employed people? What about those who get laid off because work dries up? Other countries are covering wages for people like that and the UK needs to keep up.

"Finally, statutory sick pay is £94 a week. That needs increasing to be at the levels of the real living wage."