Spare a thought for NHS and carers this Christmas – Yorkshire Post Letters

THIS has been a dreadful year, one that all of us will want to forget. As the nation tries to get a break from the challenges over Christmas, I ask you all to spare a thought for all those who have sacrificed so much.

Care workers and the NHS have been at the front line in the fight against Covid-19 and, with other key workers, have put their own health and safety to one side to care for others.

We owe them all such a debt of gratitude and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. The virus will not stop for Christmas so please remember all those who have responded so magnificently this year and who won’t get a Christmas break: the emergency services, doctors, nurses, and carers too.

And though we want to be close to our families over Christmas, please take care and, as the Government says, keep the festivities small and short and be sensible.

Tragically, many people have lost loved ones, friends, and colleagues to coronavirus this year. So, all I want for Christmas is for people to be safe in 2021.

Yes, as a campaigner for social care I do want to see better recognition for care workers – the Government could start by following Wales and Scotland and giving care staff a £500 bonus.

And I want to see a promise of proper reform of social care for the future, so that the sector is not in such a dreadful state as it was when coronavirus struck.

But above all, I want to see the vaccine rolled out quickly to all those vulnerable people who need it most and to the staff who are caring for them. I want our vulnerable people to be safe and I want our care workers to be safe.

After a dreadful and traumatic year, that is what I want for Christmas. Thank you and a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all.

From: Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton.

THROUGHOUT the pandemic, the Conservative government has stood squarely behind families who are struggling to make ends meets. I have always stressed that no child should ever go hungry, which is why it is very welcome that North Yorkshire has now received an additional £1.5m to help people in Thirsk and Malton.

I will continue to work to ensure that local families continue to get the support they need, not just through the pandemic, but as we recover and rebuild after in keeping with the Conservatives’ mission to level up communities across the country.

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