Andy Burnham says lifting lockdown ‘won’t work’ without new self-isolation support scheme
The Mayor pointed to the recent spread of COVID-19 in South Manchester as proof that certain people cannot afford to self-isolate without fear of losing income or their job.
Andy Burnham has urged the government to plug the “biggest hole in our national defences”by providing a more comprehensive self-isolation scheme ahead of any lockdown measures being lifted.
The Mayor pointed to the recent spread of COVID-19 in South Manchester as proof that certain residents cannot afford to self-isolate “without fear of losing income or their job.”
A mutated strain of COVID-19 was found in the region last week, leading to surge testing commencing across Moss Side, Hulme, Fallowfield and Whalley Range.
In these parts of the Manchester, residents have been encouraged to take a test even if they have no symptoms.
But the Mayor says part of the reason for the recent spread of COVID-19 has been due to a “lack of a proper self-isolation support scheme.”
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Burnham claimed that an insufficient self-isolation model had been the country’s “Achilles Heel” during the pandemic and is now calling for the protection of the jobs of anyone self-isolating to be enshrined in law.
He stated: “Our experience in Moss Side tells us that the country will not be able to contain these new, highly-transmissible strains if people cannot self-isolate instantly without fear of losing income or their job.
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“Many workplaces based on low-wage, insecure employment – such as warehouses and food processing sites – have been allowed to remain open throughout the pandemic even though the support has never been in place to prevent the risk of spread.
“It is essential that the Government listens to SAGE and fixes this issue now in advance of any unlocking.”
The lack of a proper system of self-isolation support for people in low-paid, insecure work – as recommended by SAGE in August 2020 – is the single biggest hole in the country’s defences against COVID-19. https://t.co/HEgnHDp1iM
According to data from Greater Manchester’s councils, just 47% of applications to the main self-isolation support scheme are successful.
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SAGE has previously stated four components of self-isolation support are needed for maximum compliance, including proactive information, social and clinical support; sufficient supplies of food and other essential goods; employment protection; and financial assistance.
A local GP and practitioner at the University of Manchester has also warned that without a more comprehensive self-isolation system in place, many people will continue to go to work even if they should be quarantining.
Doctor Aneez Esmail, told BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday: “[Moss Side] is a deprived part of Manchester and a lot of people have got low paid jobs.
“A lot of them are working on zero hours contracts and, when you have to self-isolate, it’s easy for your employer to say well just don’t come in then and you lose everything.
“I think that is the biggest problem. Unless we can find a means of supporting them, then people won’t.”
News
Family pay tribute to father-of-two killed in Rochdale plane crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale have paid tribute to a ‘deeply loving father and devoted husband’.
36-year-old Arian Abbasi was one of two men killed when an aircraft crashed into farmland in Littleborough in Rochdale last week, after travelling from Birmingham.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February, but sadly pronounced both men dead at the scene.
It’s believed there was no one else on board the aircraft, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.
Now, Arian’s family have issued a moving tribute to him. He was a pilot from Harrow in Greater London.
They described him as being a ‘deeply loving’ family man, whose passion was flying.
He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline in just a few weeks’ time.
His family said: “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.
“Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
GMP investigations are now focused on finding part of the parachute system which contains propellant and hasn’t yet been located.
Finding the device has been ‘very difficult’ due to the nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled.
It measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish. It weighs less than 2 kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
GMP said: “Please do not handle the device if you see it. If discovered, contact the police immediately via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.”
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
The Manc -
15th February 2021 
