Lee Anderson MP: 'We are moving in the right direction'

I think it is a bit too soon to breath a sigh of relief, but we are moving in the right direction.

Over the next week we should get a bit more insight as to how lockdown may be relaxed in a way to ensure we can return to some sort of normality, but nothing can happen until we satisfy the five tests.

One - we must be sure that the NHS has sufficient capacity to provide critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK.

Two - we must see a sustained and consistent fall in deaths.

Three - we must be sure that the infection rate is falling to manageable levels.

Four - we must overcome the operational and logistical challenges on testing and PPE with supply able to meet future demand.

Five - We must make sure that any adjustments to the current measures do not risk a second spike that would overwhelm the NHS.

It was encouraging to see we hit our target of testing 100,000 people a day buy the end of the month and I want to pay tribute to our NHS, Armed Forces, scientists and private companies who have all played their part in making the impossible happen.

Last week the chancellor announced yet another boost for local businesses with the news that an extra £600 million has now been made available for small business.

This additional fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs.

We are asking local authorities to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.

But local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need.

There will be three levels of grant payments. The maximum will be £25,000. There will also be grants of £10,000. Local authorities will have discretion to make payments of any amount under £10,000.

It will be for councils to adapt this approach to local circumstances.