William Eichler 15 June 2021

Councils receive extra COVID support as lockdown easing delayed

Councils receive extra COVID support as lockdown easing delayed image

The Government has announced additional support to help Birmingham, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Liverpool City Region and Warrington tackle the Delta variant of COVID-19.

The news of the extra support came on the same day as the Prime Minister announced a four-week delay to the planned easing of lockdown on 21 June. Mr Johnson says the ‘terminus date’ for the end of lockdown will now be 19 July.

The additional support for the council areas named includes surge testing, tracing, isolation support and maximising vaccine uptake, and follows a similar announcement last week relating to Greater Manchester and Lancashire County Council areas.

The same package of support was also given to Bolton, which has since seen a decrease in cases.

‘We are doing everything we can to stop the spread of the Delta variant, and working with local authorities, we are providing a strengthened package of support in areas where cases of the variant are increasing,’ said health and social care secretary Matt Hancock.

‘We know this approach has made a real impact in South London and in Bolton where we have seen it stall rising cases.

‘I urge people living these areas to get tested, come forward for your vaccine as soon as you are eligible and make sure to get the all-important second jab – that is how we will beat this virus.’

Responding to the PM’s announcement that the final stage of the roadmap will be delayed, Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), said: ‘Councils, along with their communities, local NHS colleagues and national Government have worked extremely hard to get us to this point.

‘However, it is now clear there is still a short way to go before we can fully exit the recovery roadmap. It is vital that everyone continues to follow local advice to ensure we are all doing everything we possibly can to keep everyone safe.’

Photo: 360b / Shutterstock.com

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Legal Assistant (Contracts/Governance)

West Northamptonshire Council
£30560 - £32212
The Corporate area are seeking a new Legal Assistant to provide support and assistance on a wide variety of legal cases, mainly concerning contracts and governance work. Whether you have legal experience or are just starting your career, we can offer you Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Community Infrastructure Manager

East Cambridgeshire District Council
£44,711 to £48,710 p.a. plus benefits
The successful applicant will lead and project manage specific infrastructure projects and assist the Climate Change & Natural Environment Manager. Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Principal Lawyer (Planning/Highways)

West Northamptonshire Council
£53694 - £57443
Are you ready to take the next step in your career in an organisation where you will be supported to excel professionally? If so, join the Legal Team at West Northamptonshire Council, one of the newest and the fourth largest Unitary Councils in England. W Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Senior Lawyer (Child Care)

West Northamptonshire Council
£48378 - £51571
If you have experience in Child Care Law, we want to hear from you. Whether you are looking to develop your local government experience, change sector into local government or return to work after a career break, you won’t find a better place to do so. Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Archive Assistant

Essex County Council
£23344.0000 - £25679.0000 per annum
Archive AssistantPermanent, Part Time£23,344 to £25,679 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.