Coronavirus update
- The number of people claiming unemployment benefits predictably jumped when October’s figures were released yesterday. In the Wycombe constituency, which includes Tylers Green and Hazlemere, five per cent of the working population is claiming. That’s 4,370 compared to 1,840 in March before the first lockdown, and 2,760 this time last year.
- In the Chesham and Amersham constituency, which includes Penn, 2,256 are claiming (4.1 per cent) and in Beaconsfield 2,595 (4.3 per cent). In reality the figures are higher because not everyone out of work and not on furlough is claiming jobless allowance.
- Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet yesterday approved a plan designed to boost business and jobs in the county once the coronavirus crisis is over. They also agreed a regeneration strategy for High Wycombe. Meanwhile, the council is forecasting a £15.7m loss this financial year unless it takes appropriate action or the Government bails it out.
- Buckinghamshire NHS Trust yesterday asked people attending outpatients in local hospitals to come alone if possible to reduce the number of patients in waiting rooms. The trust also asked for more volunteers from Bucks to consider taking part in Covid-19 vaccine trials. Nearly 3,000 in the county have already done so. Details at nhs.uk/researchcontact
- Most Year 12 boys at Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School returned to school yesterday after one of their number tested positive for Covid on Sunday. Twenty five boys are self-isolating.
- The Potters Arms at Winchmore Hill hasn’t abandoned its regular quiz. It is holding one via Zoom tonight. See its Facebook page for details.
Local news
New supermarket – Tesco has acquired the disused bathroom store next to the Three Horseshoes pub at Hazlemere Crossroads with the intention of transforming it into a Tesco Express.
Zebra crossing – Penn parish councillors will tonight decide whether to recommend spending £15,000 on creating a zebra crossing on the Penn Road.
Passenger drop – Figures yesterday showed there has been a 25 per cent drop in the number of bus passengers in Buckinghamshire in the last five years. The statistics run up to March before the first lockdown was imposed. In the past five years services from Penn to High Wycombe have reduced from four an hour to one an hour out of peak time.