South Yorkshire response group set up to tackle region's 'economic fightback' following lockdown

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis has put together a Covid-19 response group in a bid to best tackle the ‘economic fightback’ in the region.
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The mayor, who has brought together South Yorkshire’s private sector, business bodies, universities, trade unions, local authorities and community groups, will aim to aid the monetary recovery of the county.

The Covid-19 response group met for the first on Thursday, April 2 and discussed the need for flexibility over Government funding to support the economy, so South Yorkshire can direct resources to address local challenges.

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Business access to finance from Government-backed Coronavirus support schemes and the banking sector was also discussed while concerns were also raised around social distancing in the region’s warehousing and distribution sectors.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis
Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis

Support for the charity and voluntary sector was also brought up as finances are said to be ‘under strain’.

Mayor of Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis, said: “The coronavirus is the greatest public health crisis we have faced, and it poses a massive challenge to our economy. I am working around the clock to keep our economy afloat and make sure South Yorkshire has what it needs to respond to the pandemic.

“I know people in South Yorkshire are resilient, but we must explore every option to support our communities, jobs and businesses. That’s why I have convened the region’s leading institutions to plan our response and ensure we are doing everything we can to help the region now and for the future.

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“There will be tough days ahead, but I am determined we come out of this crisis strongly and when the worst is over, we build a brighter, prosperous future for South Yorkshire. By working together, we can make that happen for people living and working here.”

The group consists of; Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership; Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce; Doncaster Chamber of Commerce; Sheffield Hallam University; University of Sheffield; TUC; South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner; South Yorkshire Community Foundation; South Yorkshire’s four local authorities and the Sheffield City Region.

Commenting on those who need to be treated for the virus, Mayor Jarvis said he has been assured that anyone coming into hospital for coronavirus in South Yorkshire will be treated in the area or close to where they live.

The comments come after NHS England bosses finally confirmed another pop-up Nightingale Hospital will be assembled at Harrogate Convention Centre following similar plans in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol.

The North Yorkshire unit will have capacity for 500 beds.

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Mayor Jarvis said he had been in ‘daily contact’ with South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw hospital chiefs who are ‘working tirelessly’ to support their partners to increase capacity.

Responding to the announcement of a new NHS Nightingale Hospital at the Harrogate Convention Centre, Mayor Jarvis said: “The need for the new Nightingale Hospital shows the extraordinary challenge we face to overcome the coronavirus. There are sensible and practical reasons why Harrogate has been selected, due to the speed at which the facility can be built and its location central to the whole of Yorkshire.

“In South Yorkshire, we have made extensive preparations, so people receive the very best possible care. I have been assured that all Covid-19 patients who need hospital care in our region will be treated at their local or a neighbouring hospital in South Yorkshire.

“The expertise at our hospitals, alongside the herculean efforts to prepare for more cases, mean we are in a strong position to rise to the coronavirus challenge. I have full confidence in all our excellent, hard-working NHS staff, who have stepped up when we needed them most and put their lives in danger to keep us all safe.

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“I would like to repeat my heartfelt thanks to all our NHS staff for their dedication. When we overcome this crisis, we must remember their heroic efforts. We will forever be in their debt.”

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