Coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak continues to advance globally, with the number of cases and deaths increasing in several countries. In the UK, there are currently 319 confirmed cases and four confirmed deaths. The UK's response is guided by a four-point action plan focusing on containment, delay, research, and mitigation. Additional funding of £46 million has been allocated to find a vaccine and develop rapid diagnostic tests. NHS staff numbers are at record levels, with increased support for the 111 service. Testing capacity has improved with new systems in place for faster results. The Government is also initiating measures such as helping passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship return home.

Expresses condolences to those affected by the outbreak and praises NHS staff. Questions the adequacy of funding for the NHS, citing staffing shortages and high critical care bed capacity. Asks about scaling up intensive care beds, ventilators, and ECMO machines; also inquires about PPE availability for GPs and social care workers. Highlights concerns regarding vulnerable individuals receiving social care and the need for timely public health allocations. Questions why specific measures such as home working or canceling large events are not being considered yet. Requests a commitment from the Secretary of State to consult on emergency legislation with opposition parties and statutory sick pay reforms.

Reaffirms the need for cross-party collaboration in drafting emergency legislation, emphasising the necessity of medical advice guiding decisions. Confirms increased NHS staff numbers, particularly nurses, and efforts to scale up intensive care beds and secure necessary equipment like ventilators and oxygen supplies. Acknowledges that GPs will have access to protective equipment as needed. Highlights the importance of supporting social care workers who are critical in protecting vulnerable individuals. States that mass event cancellations are not currently recommended but advocates for home working based on personal circumstances and public health advice. Reassures about food supply availability, noting ongoing talks with supermarkets. Confirms plans to include changes to statutory sick pay in legislation. Emphasises the importance of parliamentary scrutiny and remains committed to ensuring continued openness.

Commends the Health Secretary for handling the crisis, questions the necessity of not sharing a central estimate on virus spread proportions in the UK.

Pays tribute to the Select Committee Chair's transparency, acknowledges the need for a central estimate but explains uncertainties around Chinese data. Confirms phased transition rather than immediate switch from contain to delay phase, and assures further guidance on workplace hygiene will be issued.

Clarifies that the move to delay phase is not an instant switch, asks about prison system management during crisis, inquires about Health Protection Scotland's recommendations for workplaces.

Requests discussions with large businesses regarding international travel and work-from-home policies to reduce virus spread.

Questions the Government’s plan to suspend parliamentary sessions until after Easter, proposes alternative measures for maintaining accountability through Parliament.

Advocates for growing indigenous vaccine production capacity in UK to ensure rapid deployment of vaccines to key workers once available.

Asks about discussions between the Secretary of State and Welsh Government on deploying emergency staff in care sector during crisis, highlights obstacles such as insurance and working hour limitations.

Inquires about specific advice for pregnant women regarding coronavirus risks.

Asks for a detailed estimate of ventilators required to meet potential critical care demand and mentions WHO’s recommendation on stockpiling ventilators.

Inquires about vaccine development details, safety measures, timings, and efficacy versus public health impact.

Clarifies that the Prime Minister's statement does not reflect the Government’s official position on handling the virus spread without draconian measures.

Asked about potential school closures and support for frontline workers.

Inquired about contingency plans for parents wanting to withdraw their children from school before the Easter break for home study arrangements.

Raised concerns about inconsistent advice given to nursery owners regarding home working, urging for consistent information provision during a crisis.

Asked about plans in place should there be an outbreak on cruise ships visiting UK waters during the sailing season starting in April.

Inquired about support for parents seeking refunds from airlines regarding cancelled ski trips to northern Italy, which was not regarded as essential travel.

Requested information on efforts to expedite the expansion of intensive care beds at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.

Asked for further action and help specifically for rural communities affected by the virus, emphasising the importance of telemedicine in such areas.

Praised the Secretary of State for following expert advice from former NHS emergency planners and asked about conversations with local government to support wider public health and social care provision.

Expressed condolences over a death in her constituency related to coronavirus and sought specific advice for those with relatives at New Cross Hospital.

Asked about assistance for people who have booked holidays or cruises but are considering not going due to the virus, highlighting issues with insurance coverage.

Thanked those working long hours and urged the Secretary of State to use business innovation and capacity as part of dealing with the crisis.

Called for pithy contributions to ensure all MPs can contribute in the debate.

Asked about advice given by DWP decision makers regarding coronavirus and sought follow-up on this issue.

Inquired about potential testing at airports or mandatory quarantining for individuals arriving from north Italy, highlighting concerns over late symptom onset.

Asked what can be done to prevent people on zero-hours contracts in the hospitality industry from facing financial difficulties due to layoffs.

Sought specific advice for constituents organising community events over Easter and May Day weekends, particularly regarding elderly attendees who are at risk.

King’s College Hospital in my constituency has the highest level of debt of any hospital trust in the country. It also has a new 60-bed intensive care unit, which has been much delayed in its opening. Can the Secretary of State confirm what additional resources will be made available to King’s to ensure that those beds can open—fully staffed and fully equipped—as soon as possible, and to ensure that this challenged NHS trust has all the resources necessary to deal with the additional needs presented by coronavirus?

In May and June millions of pupils, including in Eddisbury, will be sitting important public exams. Although I accept that my right hon. Friend is doing the right thing by following the scientific evidence, may I encourage him to do everything possible to ensure that those exams go ahead, and to put in place clear contingency plans in the event that they do not?

Churches in my constituency took precautions yesterday. Those who need to self-isolate are having food supplies delivered, and are receiving regular phone contact to stave off the feeling of being alone. Does the Minister accept that the ability for churches to meet for fellowship and prayer is essential for a lot of people’s mental health and spiritual welfare, and that churches remaining open for as long as possible is as essential as schools remaining open?

Good communication is obviously key, so, first, may I thank my right hon. Friend for his regular updates? Secondly, will he join me in praising the staff and management at Royal Stoke University Hospital, who have treated a case recently and have communicated very clearly with the local community in Stoke and in Newcastle-under-Lyme?

The Secretary of State has called for a national effort on a number of occasions. What is his take on the request from the TUC, which has called for a joint emergency taskforce between trade unions and businesses to make sure, for example, that statutory sick pay issues are addressed as well as keeping public services afloat?

The Secretary of State is no doubt aware that one of the four deaths that he referred to in his statement was an elderly patient with underlying health conditions in Milton Keynes University Hospital. What steps is he taking to ensure that hospitals like Milton Keynes University Hospital and others are open, safe and clean?

Many careworkers are on zero-hours contracts and work for multiple providers. This means that they may struggle to prove that they are eligible for statutory sick pay, forcing them to choose between protecting their clients and paying their bills. The Secretary of State mentioned statutory sick pay earlier. What is he planning to do to help care staff who are not eligible for statutory sick pay or who might struggle to prove their eligibility?

Over the weekend, Leicestershire had its first confirmed case of coronavirus, while a number of European countries moved to ban large public events. Will the Secretary of State explain why the timing of such social distancing measures is so crucial, and at what point and on what basis he will decide if they are necessary?

My constituents in Kettering are struggling to understand why we are not banning flights from quarantined areas of north Italy.

We have just heard about the death in Wolverhampton. I have had a lot of constituents talk to me about safety in schools. The Secretary of State has updated the House on this, but there are hundreds of school trips planned over the next three months all over the UK and Europe, so what is the advice around that?

As a former journalist, I know the temptations of a dramatic headline, but does my right hon. Friend agree that in this case there is an onus on the media to report responsibly and not engage in scaremongering?

If large numbers of elderly and vulnerable people have to self-isolate, the statutory system will simply not be able to provide them with all the support they need at home. May I urge the Government to work with not only local authorities but civil society groups, to ensure that people get the social and practical support they need?