An MP has urged constituents needing help to get in touch with her so she can help direct them to vital support during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Tatton MP Esther McVey is holding daily surgeries remotely and in regular contact with senior representatives from all bodies involved in the strategic operation to keep the county safe.

Ms McVey said: “Please get in touch with me if you need help so I can link you in with any services that you might need, my staff and I are working to sort all your queries and ensure we do everything we can to help you access the support you need at this extremely difficult time, as well as our routine casework.

“I want to say a huge thank you to all the community groups, businesses, and residential groups, for all the work you are doing to help people in our communities through this extremely difficult time - it is absolutely amazing, and we are all so grateful. I am now doing daily surgeries too to help as many people as possible over the phone by skype and facetime so if you need to get in touch please email or phone me.”

Ms McVey said work was going on behind the scenes to ensure everyone vulnerable who needed help can get support. She, along with representatives from Cheshire’s Fire and Rescue, Public Health officials, representatives from councils across Cheshire, and other MPs, headed by Cheshire’s Chief Constable Darren Martland dialled into a conference call to discuss measures in place to help in the pandemic.

She said: “The meeting of the strategic co-ordinating group across Cheshire was extremely productive. This meeting and subsequent ones which will follow in the coming days and weeks are about how emergency services and public bodies work together to support the local community at a time like this.

“I want to try and reassure people that the emergency services have been planning for a pandemic since 2015. The plans have been updated on a regular basis and obviously for Coronavirus is updated daily. Those involved have been planning for it, have tested out their strategies and preparation with many trial runs. Now they are sadly having to put that preparation into practice, and we thank them for everything they are doing.”

Ms McVey will also be doing regular videos on Twitter updating constituents of the work going on behind the scenes to keep them safe.

This week Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged anyone who can to become an NHS Volunteer Responder. All those who are well and able to do so safely are being encouraged to offer support to reduce the pressure on the NHS and care system. People in the vulnerable group wanting to help can also offer telephone support. For more information visit www.goodsamapp.org.uk/NHS

You can follow Ms McVey on Twitter via @EstherMcVey1