More Help for Dales Families Asked to Self Isolate

February 4, 2021 8:07 PM
By Peter Dobbs

Residents in the Derbyshire Dales who are asked to self isolate by the NHS are to benefit from changes to the Test and Trace Support Payment Fund run by the District Council on behalf of the Government. The Council held an emergency meeting tonight (Thursday 4 February) to review the existing scheme. The Council will now offer £500 payments to anyone who is unable to work whilst self isolating for 10 days if they will face "financial difficulty". The previous scheme was based on applicants being in receipt of Council Tax Support, but its complexity meant that only 2 payments had been made since September 2020. Most of the cost of the new scheme, which runs until March 31st, will be met by the Government, but the Council will utilise up to £15,000 of its own funds if necessary. The scheme will also be more actively promoted via the Council's website and in its publicity.

Paul Cruise (Peter Dobbs)

Cllr Paul Cruise (Matlock St Giles)

The new scheme was supported by all the political groups on the Council, as well as Independent Members.

In a joint statement, Councillors Paul Cruise (Lib Dem), Mike Ratcliffe (Labour) and Jacqueline Allison (Independent) who together initiated the new scheme, said,


"It was clear that the previous scheme was far too complex. Many working people who are asked to self isolate just can't afford to stay at home, and unfortunately this may have put the health of other residents at risk. We hope that by making the £500 payment more easy to access, we can continue to help drive down the rate of coronavirus infections, whilst offering support to people suffering genuine financial difficulties".


For more information, contact
Cllr Paul Cruise: paul.cruise@derbyshiredales.gov.uk, tel 01629 583244 or 07403445672
Cllr Mike Ratcliffe: mike.ratcliffe@derbyshiredales.gov.uk, tel 01629 823023 or 07581862683
Cllr Jacqui Allison: jacqueline.allison@derbyshiredales.gov.uk, tel 01889 565943 or 07967778920