BBC Newsnight this week came to St Helens to hear about the impact of Covid-19 on our local communities and services.

The programme featured Labour Council Leader David Baines, and Conservative Group Leader Cllr Allan Jones who also called for more government funding.

David Baines says: “Our Council faces a £25m funding gap as a result of the fight against COVID, and I’m grateful to Cllr Jones for appearing on the programme with me and joining me in calling for funding certainty from the government.

Newsnight also interviewed St Helens Council staff about #StHelensTogether, and I’m sorry that didn’t make the final programme. We’ve exceeded our fundraising target of £25k which is great news and means we can continue to provide food parcels for our most vulnerable residents.”