The local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, has launched a new taskforce to strengthen local plans to help tackle the outbreak of coronavirus.

The taskforce will bring together senior experts from across key sectors, including resilience, local government, public health and adult social care fields, who will assess Local Resilience Forum (LRF) plans and provide support and advice to ensure they are robust.

There are 38 LRFs in England which are made up of emergency services, a range of Government agencies, health bodies and local authorities.

‘We all have a part to play in managing the spread of coronavirus and I am working to ensure local partners are fully equipped to play their part, too,’ said Mr Jenrick.

‘Today I established a taskforce to support Local Resilience Forums, helping them fully prepare for a range of scenarios at a local level.’

The taskforce will be led by Andy Battle, the recently retired assistant chief constable for West Yorkshire and the LRF chair for that region, and Dr Ruth Hussey, the former chief medical officer for Wales.