Blackburn with Darwen hit by "perfect storm" - Guardian

A report by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, which has been leaked to the Guardian newspaper, has concluded that due to "unmet financial need" many poorer families have been unable to self isolate. The government set up schemes to give financial help to people but the study found in Blackburn with Darwen more people seeking financial help to self isolate had been rejected than accepted.

Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson said, "Poorer people are often faced with the impossible dilemma - do we provide for our families, or do we self isolate. The government needs to increase both the financial help and make it easier for people to apply and be accepted