Tees Valley Mayor confident emergency plans are on track to meet the challenge of the next few months

Following a meeting called by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen of all local council leaders and Chief Executives, along with further discussions with NHS leaders, Mayor Houchen is confident that Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are on track to meet the challenge ahead presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Preventing hospitals and other vital public services being overrun due to the number of people infected with Coronavirus is the top priority of local leaders and emergency planners.

Huge numbers of local people affected by the virus is likely to mean pressures on vital services not seen for more than a century, with local councils and emergency services prioritising the preservation of life and the treatment of those in most need.

Emergency plans show local councils working closely with local hospitals, the fire and police services and the Tees Valley Mayor to coordinate their response to make sure people affected are treated as quickly as possible and that those in need of other vital public services continue to receive support.

As well as the health emergency being managed by local councils, Mayor Houchen yesterday produced an economic analysis that shows without significant Government intervention the impact of Coronavirus could cost the local economy almost £1bn in 2020 – a retraction of 5.2 per cent.

This equates to the possible loss of almost 17,000 jobs, if nothing is done to mitigate losses within businesses large and small.

Mayor Houchen has set out the need to secure jobs and incomes for local people by asking Government to fully underwriting businesses in the peak of the Coronavirus crisis.

The Mayor stressed that businesses failing would mean families losing incomes at a time of great uncertainty, as well as further economic pressure on businesses and jobs in the supply chain. It would also make the economy more resilient to bounce back if viable businesses were protected and helped with cash liquidity and cashflow in the coming months.

Mayor Houchen said: “I’m heartened to see that each of our local councils are working tirelessly to do all they can to protect vital public services and prepare for what is to come in the coming weeks and months ahead.

“The dedication of staff – from the chief executives through to frontline personnel – and the preparations that are in place and improving every day give me confidence that as a region we are rising to the challenge that coronavirus will bring.

“Our absolute priority as leaders is to protect life and do all we can to support the most vulnerable who are at risk.

“I continue to speak to Government officials and ministers on a daily basis and I continue to call on Government to speed up their efforts to put in place a quick and easy mechanism for local businesses to access the £10k and £25k grants to make sure local businesses are supported through this very difficult time.

“I’ve also left colleagues in Westminster under no illusion that more needs to be done immediately to support the self-employed and renters who must be given security that they won’t be at risk of being asked to leave their homes.

“We are in the midst of a global crisis not seen before, and given the unprecedented challenges for individuals, families, business and public services we need to throw out the rulebook on ideology and political motives and take whatever measures are necessary to preserve lives and minimise economic damage over the coming weeks.

“On social care and health support I will continue to do all I can to support our local councils and NHS Trusts to deliver the services that they must provide to local people to help us through these unprecedented times.”