As we approach winter, we find ourselves once again living under national COVID restrictions, missing loved ones and, perhaps more than ever, looking forward to a fresh start in the New Year. But, as tough as the current situation is, we do have real motivations to stick with it and genuine reasons to be hopeful and optimistic for better days ahead.
The past week or so has given us all a real boost – what a feather in the cap for science and research with the announcement of an effective vaccine. This vaccine, along with several others which are in the later stages of development, will be crucial weapons in the fight against the virus. Also, we have been told that local people here in Northumberland will be amongst the first to take advantage of new rapid turnaround tests - providing results within an hour - which start rolling out imminently. These are reasons to be hopeful for the coming months, but also motivate us to keep striving to keep on top of the spread of the virus now.
And it is in this context of the continuing restrictions and the personal and commercial strains that it brings that the Government has announced a raft of new measures.
Families that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and need extra support this winter with food and bills will benefit from an additional £170m in government funding through the extension of the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme. The expanded scheme – called the Covid Winter Grant - will mean Northumberland County Council will receive just under £1m (£992,515).
I am delighted with this extension of support for vulnerable families in Northumberland, which builds on the existing local welfare scheme. This scheme will be delivered locally in Northumberland, not by Westminster. This is more targeted support than Free School Meal Vouchers, with funding for bigger and better interventions for families who need it.
The extension of the Holiday Activities and Food programme is also good news. This provides healthy food and activities for children during the school holidays and has a massive impact on disadvantaged young people in our community. This will cover all through next year and, alongside the extension of the Furlough Scheme until next March, should give reassurance and comfort to anxious families.
Thank you for all you are doing to contain the spread of the virus. Please stick with it and be hopeful of better days ahead.