We all know we live in an increasingly difficult media environment, with national news desperate for their next ‘social media click' caused by a ‘gotcha’ moment or big disagreement. Oversimplification of complex issues, outrage by headline and growing mistrust, all sadly follow as a result.
Someone remarked to me yesterday that “it can be difficult to cut through the noise, numbers and nonsense” at the moment. I take their point, it is hard to really see and understand how this crisis and measures announced down in London, have had an impact on the everyday lives of our neighbours, friends and family here in Grantham.
Throughout this horrendous pandemic, announcements have been made day after day about new guidelines, new financial support and sadly new restrictions. When we hear about the “£40 billion Job Retention Scheme”, it only becomes real when we see how many of our friends and family have been kept on at work when businesses were made to close. When we hear about “£9 billion extra in welfare support”, it only becomes real when we hear about the single mother down the road who now has more money to feed, clothe and support her child.
If I told you that as a taxpayer, you have so far spent an extra £200 billion supporting our people, businesses and public services, it perhaps does not strike home just how many people this has helped in your neighbourhood. In this job, I have had a front row seat. Our local businesses large and small have received over £90 million in grants and loans giving them a lifeline to keep going. Our local charities have been boosted by thousands of pounds of national funding to support them as their donations go down, while demand for their help goes up.
Our councils and community groups, who know our neighbourhoods and people best, have done a remarkable job of getting their share of national funding into the hands of those who need it most. Their work is underappreciated but their targeted approach, directed by local people, for local people, has shown to work far better than nationwide, blanket schemes which are less precise and can miss people out.
Ultimately though, I know we all just want to return to a time of more certainty, getting our economy back on track and not just protecting jobs but creating them in our town. As I said to the Grantham Business Club last week, no matter how much support is available, there is no substitute for being open for business. That must remain our focus, so let’s stick together, follow the guidance and look forward to normal times once again.
