As the numbers of those affected by the Coronavirus continues to rise it will be an anxious time for many people across Halifax.

It is likely that many of us will become ill with the disease in the coming weeks and months and we need to do all we can to protect the most vulnerable, including older residents and those with underlying health conditions.

Parliament will continue to sit for the foreseeable future and like all MPs, I will be scrutinising the actions of Government at every stage, whilst also recognising that we all must come together to keep communities as safe and as well as possible.

I will also be adhering to the expert advice from clinical professionals with the qualifications and the lived experience to provide it.

The national Labour party has agreed that all door to door local activity should be stopped as a precaution so you may not see us out and about as much as usual.

We have also had to take the decision to transition away from drop-in surgery appointments in the Parliamentary office in attempt to keep constituents and my dedicated team well for as long as possible.

However, we will very much be available via email and over the phone. I appreciate that we will all have concerns about loved ones who may fall into those at risk categories and so you may have questions or issues around social care.

In addition to this it will be a confusing time for those who are self-employed and businesses will also inevitably face disruption affecting some sectors more than others. If you have any concerns relating to social care, sick-pay, benefits, or financial support for businesses then please do continue to contact me and my team who will be here to help.

Should staffing levels reduce significantly in the office due to illness compromising our ability to provide this support, I will provide regular updates via my website to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Thank you and take care.

Holly Lynch MP