South Holland council chiefs to get self-isolation cash

Council chiefs are looking into how to spend extra Government cash to help people in South Holland to afford to self-isolate.

Last week we reported on calls for the area’s low-paid workers to be given more money to be able to afford to take time off if they test positive with Covid.

It's feared that low paid workers in our area are reluctant to get tested because they cannot afford to miss out on work - and that these financial pressures might be contributing to South Holland's high infection rate.

The Government has now announced it will give funding to local councils to ‘overcome the practical challenges of being asked to self-isolate’ - and South Holland District Council is looking into how this can be used here.

A council spokesman said: “We are working out how much money will be allocated to South Holland and we are looking at how to get this money out to support people.”

The Government said the cash - an extra £12.9 million - could pay for food deliveries, helping with caring and ‘supporting people’s wellbeing’.

In a statement to announce the funding, NHS Test and Trace executive chair Baroness Harding said: “Local councils have a fundamental role to play in tackling outbreaks and we are supporting them by giving people the tools they need to stay at home.

“It is vital that there are strong local, regional and national partnerships to support people to understand and comply with the guidance and regulations in place that protect their health and save lives.”