Coronavirus – useful links

This page is no longer current and the links probably don’t work. It is left as a record of an historic time.

The current parliamentary guidance on COVID-19 can be found on ParliNet.

Advice about long Covid can be found on the NHS website.

COVID-19

This page is intended to be a list of links to useful sources of information in the United Kingdom about Coronavirus, how to help your constituents and how to work remotely.

Since publishing this page of links, we have been inundated with requests to link to numerous external sites, predominantly in the USA, which, whilst very useful and informative in their own right, are not directly relevant to the work of MPs’ staff in the United Kingdom. Please note that we are not accepting requests to publish external links but thank you for your interest in our site.

House of Commons Information

An update from the Cabinet Office for Members (2 June 2020)

Cleanliness and hygiene measures on the Estate

Coronavirus Hub

Data protection guidance

Digital guidance (scroll down page)

FAQs for Members

HSE Working Safely guidance and support

IPSA guidance

Member briefing pack

Returning to work guidance (opens in ACT)

Risk assessment (office)

Risk assessment (individual)

Situation in the UK

Template signage

Test and Trace

Wellbeing advice and guidance

Working from home advice (W4MP)

Casework

Data Protection and Coronavirus

House of Commons Library: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/

Immigration and Borders: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-borders

Working Remotely

Log into Office 365 with your Parliamentary credentials for access to all of your usual apps: https://portal.office.com/

Learn how to use Skype for Business for online meetings – factsheet and video

Health and Wellbeing

Your Mind Plan (NHS): https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/

MIND: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/coronanxiety-support-resources/

Glide: https://glidegroup.co.uk/remote-working-a-practical-safety-guide-for-businesses#mental

Tax Debt and Mental Health: https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/uk-tax-refund-advice/tax-debt-and-mental-health/

Information for the Public

Government Advice for the Public

Coronavirus information homepage: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Time off for Family and Dependants – https://www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants

Children’s Commissioner – Coronavirus, children and you. Advice, information, suggestions, answers and resources to help during the pandemic: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Crisis: Guidance on Compliance with Family Court Child Arrangement Orders: https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/coronavirus-crisis-guidance-on-compliance-with-family-court-child-arrangement-orders/

Employment Issues

ACAS employment advice: Helpline 0300 123 1100 / https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses

Health & Safety Executive: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm

Support for businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Lay-offs and short-time working: https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking

Unite the Union: https://unitetheunion.org/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19-advice/

If Unite members need advice on a COVID-19 related employment law query that is not covered by the information above and your workplace rep is not available, you can call Unite’s dedicated COVID-19 Legal Advice Line on 0333 202 6557.

If members need advice on a COVID-19 related benefits query, information is available from the DWP online here and Unite have set up a dedicated benefits advice line which members can access by calling 0333 202 6563

Unite has launched a helpline and volunteer care service for its vulnerable members during the coronavirus crisis.

All UK-based Unite members can call the helpline number 0330 1072351. The helpline is fully staffed between 08:00 until 19:00 Monday to Friday with an overflow service at other hours. A Unite volunteer will then be assigned to assist anyone who needs help with picking up shopping, posting mail, collecting urgent supplies, such as prescriptions, or simply talking to those who are experiencing loneliness.

Businesses

Coronavirus Business Advice – including business closures, stay at home FAQs, self-employment income support scheme, and more: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Claim for wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – a guide for employers. includes information relating to people on zero hours contracts: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Competitions and Markets Authority – report concerns about business practices, including shops raising prices: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cma-covid-19-response

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme/

Coronavirus Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/

Federation of Small Businesses: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

HMRC Tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) – news article: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19 leads to helpline: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/coronavirus-covid-19-helpline

Information on support for self-employed individuals: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-gives-support-to-millions-of-self-employed-individuals

Information Commissioner: https://ico.org.uk/global/data-protection-and-coronavirus-information-hub/

Coronavirus: what IPSE (Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed) is doing and advice for freelancers and the self-employed: https://www.ipse.co.uk/ipse-news/news-listing/coronavirus-ipse-activity-and-advice-freelancers.html and IPSA Coronavirus hub: https://www.ipse.co.uk/coronavirus-hub.html

Royal Mail: https://www.royalmail.com/coronavirus?iid=HP_M2_2_CORONAVIRUS

Sage – financial advice for small and medium businesses:- https://www.sage.com/en-gb/coronavirus/

Save a Small Business (Greater Manchester only): https://sasb.today/

TUC: https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-unions

Benefits

Entitledto – What help is available from benefits if you are affected by coronavirus: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Coronavirus_help

Turn2Us – Benefits and Coronavirus: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-new

Disability Benefits: Claimants on disability benefits will no longer be required to attend face-to-face assessments. The change also covers health checks for Universal Credit.: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/face-to-face-health-assessments-for-benefits-suspended-amid-coronavirus-outbreak

Employment & Support Allowance: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

Information on Universal Credit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

To claim Universal Credit: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Education and Childcare

Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures

The Open University: Coronavirus – the lowdown – https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/public-health/what-coronavirus

Health & Wellbeing

Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

NHS advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

Asthma UK: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

Autistica: https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/coronavirus

Cancer Research: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer and https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/one_cancer_voice_advice_on_coronavirus_for_people_with_cancer.pdf

Childline: 0800 1111 – https://www.childline.org.uk/

Children’s Commissioner: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Citizens’ Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

Guide on Handling Coughs and Colds in the Elderly: https://www.covonia.co.uk/coughs-colds-elderly-guide/

MIND ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/ and Coronavirus: supporting yourself and your team: https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/coronavirus-supporting-yourself-and-your-team/

Working from Home: A Guide to Creating a Healthy and Productive Workspace

Hardship Funds

Coronavirus hardship fund for musicians: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu

Travel and Transport Advice

Foreign Office Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Compare the Market:

Coronavirus guidance on travel insurance: https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/content/corona-virus/

Money Saving Expert:

Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights – Sick pay, mortgages, rental help, train refunds, energy top-ups & more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/

Coronavirus Travel Rights – Holiday refunds, travel insurance cover and more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/

Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidance for British people travelling overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

MOT Tests: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020

The AA: https://www.theaa.com/about-us/coronavirus-covid-19

Arriva Buses: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/

Diamond Buses: https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/july-2021_latest-coronavirus-guidelines/

Network Rail: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus

Northern Rail: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Stagecoach: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus

Transport for Greater Manchester: https://tfgm.com/coronavirus

Energy and Utilities

Compare the Market: Coronavirus guidance on energy: https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/coronavirus/paying-bills/

British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19

Ebico: https://ebico.org.uk/ebico-news/coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-announcement/

E.on: https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update.html

O2: https://www.o2.co.uk/covid-19

Ofgem – Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your energy supply: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your energy supply

Helping the energy industry protect customers during coronavirus

Scottish Power: https://www.scottishpower.com/news/pages/covid_19_update.aspx

Shell Energy: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/service

Three Mobile: http://www.three.co.uk/stay-connected

United Utilities: https://www.unitedutilities.com/Coronavirus-update/

Vodafone: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/coronavirus-advice

Supermarkets

Aldi: https://www.aldi.co.uk/covid19

Asda: https://corporate.asda.com/20200309/steps-we-have-taken-in-response-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Booths: https://www.booths.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-statement/

Iceland: https://www.iceland.co.uk/customer-support/help-articles#coronavirus

Lidl: https://www.lidl.com/coronavirus-update

Morrisons: https://groceries.morrisons.com/content/important-update-on-coronavirus-94110

Sainsburys: https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/feeding-the-nation

Tesco: https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2020/covid-19-a-message-to-our-customers-from-dave-lewis-tesco-ceo/

Waitrose: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/help-information/customer-service/coronavirus

Community Support

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK – “a group of volunteers supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. We focus on providing resources and connecting people to their nearest local groups, willing volunteers and those in need.” – https://covidmutualaid.org/