• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

A group of keen sewers who work at Wylfa Site, on Anglesey, are converting bedding and other material into scrub bags for NHS workers.

The staff put their uniform in the bags at the end of their shifts and then put the bag and the contents straight into the wash, minimising handling and helping to avoid spreading the virus from work to home.

Volunteer Sue Evans said: “During such unprecedented times we all want to do our bit to help in any way we can. So, when Lisa Thomas forwarded a shout out to all sewers, Elaine Hulse and I took to our sewing machines.

“Instructions were provided and after an initial test run I ended up making 10 – the first of many. It is surprising what you can do with an old duvet cover!”

Kevin Titley, a Quality Assurance Engineer from Trawsfynydd Site, has become the Community Volunteer Co-ordinator for Llanbedr Community.

Kevin said: “I’ve taken the lead in setting up and coordinating a community volunteer group in Llanbedr, where I live. The group collect shopping, prescriptions and other essentials for people.

The scheme operates under the umbrella of Llanbedr Community Council, where I’m the current Chairman, and we now have 23 volunteers, including some people who are self- isolating but still able to take phone calls.”

And engineer Jon Hall, also based at Trawsfynydd Site, has turned his home office into a production line for 3D printing of visors and accompanying headbands for GP practices, using acetate sheets and polypropylene.

The service can be used to help make a new claim or for those already claiming Universal Credit.

This supports a package of measures put in place to provide quicker and easier access to benefits during the Coronavirus outbreak.

British Sign Language users can now easily access Universal Credit through a video relay service provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The move will support many of the 87,000 Deaf BSL users currently living in the UK.

The Video Relay Service (VRS), allows users to make BSL interpreted video calls via their tablet, smartphone, computer or laptop. A professional interpreter then relays the call in English to a member of DWP staff.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson said:

With more than 1.4 million people accessing Universal Credit in these unprecedented times, this technology will provide vital and equal accessibility for Deaf people and those with hearing loss.

It is fantastic to see concern for increasing accessibility going right to the top and I am delighted that we are championing this cause for people accessing the welfare safety net.

The service, which is already available for people accessing other disability benefits and the Access to Work scheme, will be available through GOV.UK.

DWP staff won’t see the caller or the interpreter; but will receive a phone call from the interpreter who will translate into BSL. There is no need to book the service in advance which allows the conversation to take place in real time. 

Customers will be able to access a VRS hyperlink on GOV.UK. Alternatively, SignVideo offer an app that can connect to Universal Credit. Colleagues won’t see the caller or the interpreter; they simply receive a voice telephone call and allow additional time for translation into BSL.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144

Follow DWP on:

Today (20 April) the government is outlining a numbers of recommendations to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) following a request for views across all of its sectors.

The AHDB was established in 2008 to help farmers improve their performance and drive growth, for instance through knowledge exchanges, improving market access and marketing activities.

Following a review into its role and function, the government has today set out a series of recommendations so the AHDB can be a modern and dynamic organisation that keeps pace with the needs of industry. For instance, to give levy payers and industry a greater say in the future direction of the AHDB, the government is recommending a ballot every five years on the future of the levy and the strategy in each sector. With the AHDB serving a number of sectors, this will ensure that the levies paid continue to provide good value for money for farmers and growers as the industry enters a time of significant change outside the EU.

The review showed strong support for structuring AHDB around two central priorities: market development and improving farm performance. This should allow an increased focus on business resilience, skills, environment, reputation and market development at home and overseas.

These priorities will be increasingly crucial to ensure British agriculture and horticulture fulfils its full potential now we have left the EU – whether opening new export markets for beef and lamb or providing technical expertise on pest management for cereals and horticulture.

The government is recommending maintaining the statutory levy, as the majority of respondents felt this should continue to support collective endeavours, such as market access, research and development and technical advice.

The option of exploring a new governance structure has also been recommended, to facilitate cross-sector working and break down communication barriers between different parts of the organisation.

The government response and recommendations are based on the evidence gathered during the request for views and act as a starting point for the AHDB to develop their policies and structures further in order to deliver the best service for its levy payers.

The full government response and the publication of the request for views can be found on GOV.UK.