CAROLINE ANSELL MP: We need to help young people through coronavirus crisis

I support this move but I understand what a tricky balancing act this is for ministers and for the public to deal with, but this is important to underpin the return to work and the reopening of schools and universities.

It is not easy to safeguard health while trying to save jobs and businesses.

The rise, most marked amongst the under-30s, has not yet led to a spike in hospital admissions or deaths.

So far, young people do not often become seriously ill from the virus.

But it doesn’t need an expert to see that this highly infectious disease can be spread to the old or vulnerable by younger people if we don’t act.

We must abide by these rules and any others the government asks us to do.

Failure to stem the rise in cases now could lead to another lockdown - perhaps even at Christmas - and no-one wants that.

Young people have been hit hard by Covid-19 through job losses, school, college and university closures and fears over future careers.

The government has recognised this and last week Kickstart was launched – a £2 billion UK scheme to help young people find jobs and Eastbourne and Willingdon is enthusiastic to play its part.

Young people aged 16 to 24 claiming Universal Credit can now undertake a six-month work placement with their wages, National Insurance and pension for 25 hours a week paid by the government.

Employers can top up the wage and the government will also pay employers £1,500 to set up support and training.

We must do all we can to help young people recover and find jobs and skills.

Already businesses in the constituency have expressed an interest in taking part and this is great news for local young people.

Smaller firms wanting kickstarters can bid through local authorities or chambers of commerce to make the process easier too.

If any business needs advice then please get in touch with me.

And on that, can I say a huge thank you to our local legion of ‘GoodSams’ those who volunteered to make calls, do shopping, pick up prescriptions and a host of other important acts of friendship.

They have kept in touch with people all through these last months and continue to befriend and keep those important connections alive.

The challenges ahead are considerable but we will face the autumn with this new community resilience and new understanding of what must be done.

Please do keep in touch, I stand to support you and take good care.