THANKS TO SMALL FIRMS

ON page 8 of last week’s RFP (The Rossendale Scribbler) both Jake Berry MP and Sara Britcliffe MP were taken to task for and I quote “Sitting on their hands during a non binding vote in Westminster on whether or not to continue to support the additional

£20 in Universal Credit increase for those families most in need during these very trying times of the Covid Pandemic.”

Forgive me for asking, however on page 10 of the very same Rossendale Free Press in Jake Berry MP’s Column Mr Berry talks about how 2021 has got off to a very difficult start for both small businesses and families, all as the new lockdown was announced amidst a dramatic rise in cases over the festive period.

Sadly - not six weeks earlier - his boss the PM was advising everyone to enjoy the Christmas period with their families and friends.

Mr Berry then talks about how difficult it has been for all our small businesses and families alike over the last ten months.

Mr Berry and most of his colleagues refused to provide free school meal vouchers at half-time holidays in October.

And they were still refusing to provide additional support until footballer Marcus Rashford put public pressure upon the Government that they had a change of mind.

But it is thanks to those same small businesses and local organisations right across Rossendale, all of whom are still having to provide more than 500 families with warmed cooked meals every week since before Christmas.