As tighter restrictions come into place across England this Thursday, Cllr Stephen Brady, Leader of Hull City Council has outlined the support available for those in need and said it is critical every person does what is asked of them.
Cllr Brady offered his assurance the council would do everything it could to help people through the coming weeks, acknowledging the pressures and difficulties faced by many residents.
He explained that particular attention would be focussed on those deemed Clinically Extremely Vulnerable and required to isolate, with the council planning to contact every person and establish their needs for support.
The Hull Helpline, which can be reached on (01482) 300 307 is available for anyone who needs help that cannot be provided through their own support networks, including financial support and practical advice.
Cllr Brady said: “Increasing the restrictions on our daily lives is the last thing anyone wanted but, with rates of infection in Hull increasing rapidly, and huge pressure building on our local health services, it is absolutely critical that we follow the new measures carefully and bring the virus under control.
“We appreciate the huge challenges this will cause for our residents and many of our businesses, some of which will have to close or have their operations restricted, adding to worries about job security, our economy and further limiting the essential contact we have with our families and friends. My message at this time is that Hull City Council will do all that we can to support you”.
The council will be administering government financial support made available to businesses that are being forced to close through the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG). Further business support can be accessed through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), aimed at businesses that are severely impacted by the restrictions, but haven’t closed. More specific detail on this will be available in the coming days.
Cllr Brady added: “We are currently working through the Government’s latest advice on precisely what is going to be allowed, what support there will be for workers, businesses and the most vulnerable members of our community, and we will be updating these details regularly. If residents are in need of immediate support, I would remind them to contact our Hull Helpline and we can direct them to the help that they need.
“In the meantime, I can’t emphasise strongly enough the need for every one of us to follow the national advice. The infection rates in Hull are at a critical level and increasing every day. It is essential that in the weeks and months ahead we adhere to the rules on minimising social mixing so that we can bring this number down.
“Our hospital and public services are under incredible pressure and if we can’t bring these rates down, we run the risk of them being completely overwhelmed. I need to be clear in saying that the situation we are facing is even more serious than it was in the spring.
“However, if we all pull together again, do our bit to protect our loved ones and friends, I am hopeful that we can bring these infection rates down and avoid being put into the Highest Risk tier when the national restrictions come to an end.
“If we can do that, we might just be able to get to a better position by the end of the year and over the winter. I appreciate this will be incredibly difficult and we can only do it by understanding how serious the situation is and by pulling together”.
During the coming period, Hull City Council will continue providing essential services to the best of its abilities, working within the restrictions. Details of any service changes that cannot be avoided will be announced as quickly as possible via the council’s channels, including the website and social media accounts.
Advice on who is classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable can be found here.
If you are affected by this, or otherwise need help and do not have your own support network, contact the council on: 01482 300 307.
Advisors on the helpline can provide advice and support on:
- Extra help for those Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
- Shielding
- Application and advice regarding Test and Trace payments
- General advice on financial support, lack of fuel, furlough advice, food parcels, available support networks, befriending, social care for example, help to get shopping, isolation support, help to access medication.
Detailed information about business support and how to access it will be made available in the coming days. General information on government support for businesses and self-employed people can be found here.
For the latest information on changes to Council services and support for Hull residents and businesses visit www.hullcc.gov.uk
