Coronavirus in Leeds: 'We will rise to the challenge' says council leader

‘We will rise to the challenge’ of coronvirus says Leeds council leaderCoun Judith Blake (Lab) gave an update on how the city was coping with the covid-19 virus, adding that the council was still awaiting guidance from government on schools and rental payments.

She added some businesses have already been ‘devastated’ by the virus, and that Leeds City Council was looking into ways to help freelancers and those in creative sectors in the city.

Coun Blake said: “We are keeping up to date with the announcements made by government. There was a significant change on Monday afternoon in how we are dealing with the virus.

“There was a massive step change in scientific advice that the Prime Minster and his Cabinet have been getting – it has made a change in the approach we have been taking.”

This week, Prime Minster Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £330bn worth of state-backed loans to help businesses suffering from the effects.

Coun Blake said: “We have a lot of questions in the local government sector. In regards to businesses, we are seeking clarification on capacity concerns.

“We need to make sure that measures are deliverable – our priority is to make sure that we do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable.”

“There are certain sectors are experiencing devastating impacts. We are looking at how we can get as much support as possible to people.”

She announced a package of help was being devised for freelancers and those in the creative sector in the city, adding: “We are looking at how we can work to support them and we are putting out more detail next week.”

It follows news that hundreds of people in Leeds have volunteered to help via the city’s volunteer network, Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL).

Coun Blake said: “We have had an incredible response around the city with people who want to help. all the activity needs to be managed to make sure people in the city get the best support they can, in a way that does not increase their risk.”

“We are asking everybody to contact the VAL phone number if they want to help. We have had 736 people register so far wanting to volunteer. We know that we will need more staff in our social care sector.

“Thank you to the enormous levels of support and the offers of help are really well received. As a council, we are ready and willing to help and Leeds will rise to the challenge.”

She added anyone who needs help of some description, such as elderly people with no help from neighbours or relatives, should also contact the VAL number.

On the issue of schools, many around the country have been operating as normal this week, and Coun Blake has called for further guidance from government on this.

She said: “Some have already taken the decision to close, because they don’t have the appropriate levels of staff.

“We are waiting for a national decision on this. Whether or not schools are going to be asked to close – we anticipate this will be in the near future.”

Coun Blake also called for help for those living in rented accommodation, adding: “We are really concerned about the support to workers – we acknowledge the mortgage holidays – and we want the same support for people in the rented accommodation.

On whether such ‘rental holidays’ could be extended to council properties, she said: “We are waiting for an announcement from government so we can come up with plans that are consistent.”

Contact [email protected] or 0113 2977920 if you want to help.