POLITICAL leaders have reassured West Oxfordshire residents and businesses that they will be supported during the second national lockdown.

England begins four weeks of tougher restrictions tomorrow after a rise in coronavirus cases, with people urged to stay indoors and non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities closing.

The guidance, announced by Boris Johnson on Saturday, triggered several meetings between councils and community organisations this week.

New West Oxfordshire District Council leader Michele Mead said: “This is once again a very worrying time for our communities and businesses, but we are here to help and deliver support.

“We are already meeting key community organisations to ensure enough food and support is in place for those who most need it, while the government has outlined the levels of financial support for businesses.

Read also: District council approves Covid recovery plan

“We are doing all we can to put those measures in place as a matter of urgency.

“In the meantime, I would ask everyone to remain vigilant and work together to get through this as we have done before.”

Witney Gazette:

Michele Mead Picture: WODC

The new rules only allow households to mix indoors for childcare or other support, or if they are part of the same bubble.

Schools, colleges and universities will stay open, but non-essential travel should be avoided and people should only leave their house for education, exercise, medical appointments or to buy essential goods.

MPs will vote on the measures today – less than a week after the government decided to keep Oxfordshire in the relatively relaxed tier 1 restrictions, while putting Oxford city in tier 2.

Witney MP Robert Courts felt that was the right decision but admitted the virus was again a ‘national problem in need of a national solution’.

Read also: Witney reacts to MP Robert Courts' vote on free school meals

He said: “As the chief medical officer made clear on Saturday, there is no such thing as a perfect time and the government is implementing a lockdown at an earlier stage of our epidemic curve than countries such as France.

“These are profoundly difficult balances, but the government is taking the tough decisions necessary to protect the NHS and save lives.

Witney Gazette:

Robert Courts Picture: Ed Nix

“I welcome that the government will continue to support businesses at this difficult time through extending the furlough scheme, grants for businesses forced to close, and a new £1.1 billion package to local authorities.

“I will continue to engage closely with our local businesses and all levels of government to ensure local employers and employees have access to the support they need.”

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for one month, with furloughed employees receiving 80 per cent of their salary.

Business premises forced to close will receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under the Local Restrictions Support Grant.

On Monday, West Oxfordshire met with the county’s other district councils and has spoken this week with community organisations, including neighbourhood support groups and foodbanks.

Read also: Couple open bakery after getting creative in lockdown

It is preparing to stand up its Response Hub and continues to provide emergency assistance grants for food through Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire.

A statement by the council’s Labour group promised to bring ‘help, comfort and assistance to anyone struggling’, but attacked the government’s handling of the crisis.

It read: “All of our key workers, especially in the NHS, are fighting this crisis with one hand tied behind their back, due to a government that has repeatedly underfunded, undervalued and undermined them – both since 2010 and even since March.

“The shambolic outsourcing of the test and trace system, the disgraceful waste of public money on failing companies like Serco and the constant delay in doing the right thing from the very beginning, have led to this – a deeper, longer lockdown that could’ve been avoided with swift and decisive action.

“Local authorities know best the communities they serve.

“Local services can, and will, help people through the second lockdown as they did the first, and the government must now properly listen to and empower these organisations to keep people safe, and to provide the support that so many will soon need – individuals, families, businesses, any beyond.”

Read also: Second lockdown will have 'devastating' impact on Oxfordshire businesses

The shutdown is a blow to hospitality and retail businesses, who hoped to make up for a miserable year in the run-up to Christmas.

Witney Gazette:

Simon Scamp, owner of Drummers Bar Picture: Ric Mellis

Simon Scamp will not open Drummers Bar in Witney’s Langdale Court until at least December, but remains optimistic.

He said: “It’s a small pub and we’ve managed to keep our overheads down.

“I’m feeling buoyant because I love the place and the customers.

“But I can’t speak for all the other pubs. I don’t think anybody’s feeling comfortable.”