It's official. The UK is in the worst recession for decades. The words "2020 is a write-off for us" are echoed by many local businesses up and down the country.

This week we talk to the President of Woking Chamber of Commerce and owner of Field's Car Centre in Horsell, Richard Field. He tells us how his team transformed the services they offered to ensure customers remain safe and on the road, expresses his thoughts on the future of business in Woking and where to get commercial advice and support.

It's not just the nation's physical health that is being ruined by Covid-19. In our latest podcast Chief Executive of Woking Mind, Tony Bennett, reveals the impacts that the past few months have had, and will continue to have, on our mental health.

In this podcast Tony also highlights how to recognise when you or those around you may need support and how to access local services. Remember - we're all in this together, in the same storm albeit in different boats.

Councillor Will Forster, the Lib Dem Spokesperson for Woking, has called on the local Conservative MP Jonathan Lord to "pledge to defend the rule of law against any attempts by Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings to undermine it."

It follows the Tory Government's announcement of a so-called Independent Review of Administrative Law, with the aim of restricting the ability of individuals to seek judicial review of government actions.

CEO of the York Road Project, Cath Stamper joins us to discuss homelessness in Woking, including the sudden change in the homeless demographic, establishing direct links with other groups to expand the support available and her positivity for the future with the country's first purpose-built homeless accommodation. You can find out more about the project and support it using the link below:

In part one we find out how some local parents summoned their inner teacher after the country's schools were locked down. Our guests share their stories of veering off-syllabus with DIY science experiments and conference-call mishaps, to the vast differences in support provided by different schools. A huge thanks to Karen, Heidi, Jacqui, Amanda and Claire for sharing their home-schooling wins, a newfound appreciation for teachers and concerns for the future.

Local Councils that provide all services make sense, but not a super state

Speaking following the announcement that the County Council wants to become the sole authority for all of Surrey Cllr Ann-Marie Barker said:

"Not since HG Wells penned his tale of Martian invasion have Surrey towns been under such threat from a single body seeking to create a super state."

Figures published by Surrey County Council have revealed a huge rise in the cost of senior staff pay in just 12 months.

The information published by the Council has revealed that the number of its senior officers earning over £50,000 has increased from 407 in 2018/19 to 558 in 2019/20. The number of those being paid between £50,000 - £54,999 has increased from 127 to 212.

Liberal Democrat Leader frustrated at Conservative failure to provide financial information to councillors and public

Woking Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Ann-Marie Barker this week revealed her frustration at the Conservative Council's failure to provide forecasts on the likely future impact of Covid on Council finances to councillors and residents.

The Lib Dems are calling for greater powers for Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council to take action on carbon emissions as figures show progress to cut emissions across the UK has stalled since 2016.

In Woking emissions have fallen from 450 kilotons of carbon emissions in 2016 to 401 in 2018. Across Surrey emissions have gone down too from almost 6,500 in 2016 to just over 6,000 in 2018. However, both reductions are not fast enough to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The Lib Dems have called on the Government to commit to a Summer Learning Fund that would support almost 1,500 disadvantaged children across Woking to get ready for returning to school.

Lib Dem Education Spokesperson Layla Moran, who welcomed the Government's u-turn on free school meals, warned further action was needed to "ensure no child is left behind."