The constituency office of Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, has closed again and the staff will be working from home following changes to Government advice.

Toby said, “It is very disappointing to have to close my office again but as the Government advice is now that people who can work from home should do so again, I feel that I should be consistent with that which is being advised for the protection of both constituents, staff and the wider effort to reduce transmission.

My staff will be working hard from home to ensure that my constituents are fully supported. I will continue to do my weekly surgeries via Zoom video calls or telephone, and I will continue to do all I can to support the schools, services, businesses and families in Chesterfield during this difficult time.

The new restrictions are due to Government failure. The British public adhered to their side of the bargain during lockdown – they stayed at home, they didn’t see many of their friends or family for several months, they wore masks – but the Government failed to keep to their side of the bargain. They had time to introduce an effective testing system, to ensure track and trace was ready to go before lockdown was eased, and they have failed due to incompetence.

The coronavirus is on the verge of a second wave in this country, far beyond that in most other European countries, due to these failures and so the Government have been forced to once again put additional restrictions in place to try and stop the spread.

I sincerely hope that we can avoid further lockdowns and the spread of the virus in Chesterfield remains low. I urge the Government to start listening to what the Labour Party and health advisers have told them so that we can ensure everyone can get a test within 24 hours of requesting one and better trace the spread of the virus. The risk to the NHS, the economy and public health demands that everyone works together to stop the virus now.”

Toby’s office can be contacted on 01246 386 286 or toby.perkins.mp@parliament.uk