PLEASE USE MY BELOW TEMPLATE TO WRITE TO YOUR MP.
Dear [CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL MP],
I am writing to you as a member of your constituency concerned about the financial well-being of UK citizens in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As you are aware, UK citizens have now been asked to work from home where possible in order to halt further contagion of the virus. For many residents of [INSERT CONSTITUENCY] and beyond, working from home is not an option and people now face the possibility of many months without income.
Speaking for myself, I work as a freelance [INSERT PROFESSION] and I am required to be physically present for my job. My upcoming [projects/clients/jobs] have already been cancelled in light of the situation, however I still have [rent/mortgage], bills, direct debits and food costs to cover.
I understand that as a [young adult with no dependents/healthy member of society under 65] I am in a much better situation than many others affected by this crisis; particularly people who have families to care for and those living in already vulnerable conditions. or As a [parent/carer] I have been forced into an incredibly difficult situation where I am relied upon, but now unable to, support my [family/dependants] financially.
As you know, homelessness is already on the increase in the UK. According to the latest Government figures, published in February 2020, 4,266 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on a single 'typical' night, however this number does not account for the ‘invisible homeless’ who sleep in-hiding or sofa-surf. Understandably, I am terribly concerned about those who are already living on the streets at this time; these people are already in an incredibly vulnerable position, and now face the threat of catching a highly contagious virus with no home to isolate and take care of themselves in.
This is why I am writing to you to request that you will push the discussion in parliament of rolling out an emergency, immediate Universal Basic Income for everyone living in the UK over the age of 16. In New Zealand, the government has just launched a similar scheme in which full-time workers will now receive $585 per week and part-time workers will receive $350. According to The Guardian “the wage subsidies will apply to all employers in New Zealand – including self-employed people – providing they do not already work from home and cannot perform their jobs remotely.”
I would also ask that Universal Basic Income in the UK would be given to the homeless so that they are able to afford a roof over their heads during this difficult time and be given the chance of a fresh start. According to social experiments, giving homeless people a sum of money to turn their own life around is the most effective way to tackle the issue of homelessness. It is a common misconception that many homeless people would spend their money on drugs or alcohol; however a 2009 experiment where 13 homeless people were given a sum of £3000, showed that none of the receivers chose to spend their money on addictive substances. A year later 11 out of 13 participants had a roof over their heads and had found work.
In an address to the public, Boris Johnson said the UK are “leading the way” with tackling the COVID-19 pandemic; it is time that our Prime Minister lives up to those words. The majority of people in the UK want to do everything that they can to help protect the vulnerable at this time – please consider my request to help make sure that this is possible.
The health threat of this pandemic alone is difficult enough for our communities to deal with without the added threat of not being able to afford to afford basic needs such as shelter, energy and food. I believe that with the right financial support our communities will do everything they can to help each other through this difficult time.
Yours sincerely,
[INSERT NAME]