Letters - May 11, 2020

It will be hard to encourage some workers back to the office, says one letter writer

The fact a reported 60 per cent of workers are concerned about returning to the workplace can come as no surprise.

The Government has been spectacularly successful in convincing people to stay at home, to the extent those with other significant health issues such as heart disease, cancer or stroke are clearly reluctant to attend their GP practice or local A&E department.

Allied to this is the current furlough arrangement, where workers receive 80 per cent of their salary (to a maximum of £2,500 per month). Being at home means no travel costs, no Pret lunches, no Costa coffee, with the added possibility of cleaning one’s own house, cutting one’s own grass and washing one’s own car. For some, the overall financial impact will be broadly neutral.

The two combined factors will provide a huge challenge to the Government to get Britain working again.

Paul Willetts

via email

Appeal

Nominate a hero in your community

I am asking residents to nominate their local hero or group who, through the pandemic, have made a big difference to their lives or of their local community.

In these challenging times there are real heroes, young or old, individuals or groups, who are making a real difference to someone’s life, somewhere.

We should celebrate them and that’s why I am asking residents across Blackpool South to make their nomination through my web scottbenton.org.uk/hero or by writing to me.

Written nominations can be sent addressed to my office: Scott Benton MP, Lancaster House, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool, FY4 2RP.

Scott Benton

MP Blackpool South

Virus

Arts industry is being ignored

Every morning I turn on the television to hear the latest on the Covid-19 pandemic and then linger for a while as hard news softens into more light-hearted topics.

Sport is always featured on broadcast media as presenters do their best to inject some enthusiasm into activities that haven’t been practised for weeks.

Yet there is never any mention of the theatres, cinemas and various live music venues that are all suffering grievously during this lockdown.

It’s not just that the arts are valuable contributors to the British economy, we should also not lose sight of the fact that culture enriches all our lives. Entertainment is essential to people’s general spiritual health and wellbeing – but you’d never know that from watching television. So why are the arts being ignored?

John Phillpott

Address supplied

Appeal

Challenge yourself and stay at home

Diabetes UK has launched the Step At Home 30-minute challenge – a way to stay active during lockdown by stepping around your home for 30 minutes a day.

It involves completing 30 minutes of laps around the kitchen table, sofa, living room or garden – or wherever you choose.

You can split your steps throughout the day, or even dance them to your favourite tune; and you can do it alone, with a virtual buddy or someone you live with.

If you’re up for the challenge, we’ll support you every step of the way. We’ll be posting regular #StepAtHome tips on our social media channels to get you started, and weekly mini challenges to get your feet moving.

You can do it entirely your way — from taking to your staircase to climb the equivalent of the Empire State Building, to getting the kids involved with a fancy dressed up challenge.

So, grab you trainers, slippers or sliders and join us to #StepAtHome towards a healthier you.

The money you raise will can help provide vital support and advice to people living with and at risk of diabetes and their loved ones during this uncertain time.

The mini challenge runs until 30 June, is free to join and there is no minimum sponsorship. You can sign up on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ For more info get in touch at [email protected].

Clare Howarth

Head of the North of England, Diabetes UK