Volunteers are swinging into united action to help Chelmsford residents in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Chelmsford City Council and the Chelmsford Voluntary Service are working together with local people to provide a complete package of support for anyone who is particularly isolated or in difficulty. The organisations are part of Essex Community Shield, the countywide effort to get supplies, advice and aid to those who need it most.

The Government has announced details of an income support scheme for those that are self-employed. You cannot apply for this scheme yet, although HMRC will contact you if you are eligible for the scheme and invite you to apply online.

This scheme will allow the self employed to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed.

I'm sure many of us have said that we're going to use lockdown as an opportunity to catch up on some reading. Well, we've got the perfect thing!

A good book or two provides a wonderful escape from these uncertain times

Lib Dem Image, the official supplier of Liberal Democrats merchandise, is still open for business. As well as t-shirts, buttons and banners, we've got a generous array of books from and about various Liberal personalities - so why not take the chance to learn a little more about them and our party?

The sun is shining and beautiful weather is forecast to stay with us this week. But the clear message for all of us this weekend is to stay at home in order to save lives and protect our NHS.

Mayor Dave Hodgson sets this out clearly in new video posted this morning. You can watch it here

At this moment of national crisis, the role of all opposition parties must be to support measures to tackle the coronavirus, whilst also standing up for the most vulnerable by properly scrutinising the Government. I look forward to working with Keir Starmer on that task.

Saving lives from coronavirus remains the absolute priority. Vital issues such as expanding testing capacity, access to adequate protective equipment for frontline health and social care staff, and ensuring the most vulnerable are not left behind as a result of the economic uncertainty are at the top of the agenda.

The Government has announced it will write off over £13bn of NHS debt and Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has called for investment in Covid-19 testing and PPE for NHS staff.

The announcement came after former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, revealed last year through a freedom of information request that £607,404,854 worth of interest on outstanding debt was paid by NHS Trusts to the Department for Health and Social Care in the previous five years.

'We are in unprecedented times, all that we have previously felt to be 'normal' has changed.

'COVID-19, the global pandemic, has resulted so far in fundamental changes to the way that we live our lives. Now more than ever, we need to remind ourselves of the values we hold dear; of compassion and justice'. Those experiencing extreme poverty are particularly hard-pressed, say the aplecollective

NHS debt write off win must come with testing and PPE investment

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron claimed a campaign victory yesterday after the Government announced it will write off over £13bn of NHS debt and he has called for investment in Covid-19 testing and PPE for NHS staff.

The announcement came after former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, revealed last year through a freedom of information request that £607,404,854 worth of interest on outstanding debt was paid by NHS Trusts to the Department for Health and Social Care in the previous five years.

Government advice remains we should stay at home apart from for essential reasons.

I know a number of people are struggling with self-isolation and wanted to share some links and suggestions of how we can all keep well - and also how you can best keep in touch with the latest news.

The NHS have set up a very valuable resource called Every Mind Matters at https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters that provides advice about how to look after our mental health.

Businesses eligible for financial support under the government's schemes in response to the coronavirus pandemic have been encouraged to ensure they access the vital support available.

Bedford Borough Council Finance Portfolio Holder, Liberal Democrat Cllr Michael Headley, delivered the message this week and added that all applications received are being processed as swiftly as possible in order that businesses get support as soon as possible.