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Shadow Secretary of State Jon Ashworth questioned the reasons behind the UK's high excess death rate and called for immediate action to address disparities in risk and outcomes for black, Asian, and minority ethnic people. He also raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the easing of restrictions, particularly for those in the shielding group, and asked for more transparency on testing capacity and tracing capabilities.
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Asked about low levels of testing in Scotland and requested further assistance from the UK Government to help increase testing numbers.
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Expressed concerns over the government's approach to easing lockdown measures despite warnings from experts. Questioned decisions made on opening schools and allowing groups of people to meet, highlighting issues with a non-functioning test trace system.
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Thanked teachers in Worcestershire for reopening reception classes and asked about the distance rule maintained by the UK being double that recommended by WHO, seeking an update on guidelines for schools.
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Asked about guidance provided to NHS staff regarding BAME employees in high-risk areas following confirmation of PHE findings linking being black or minority ethnic as a risk factor. Raised concerns over whistleblower claims at Weston General Hospital.
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Expressed worries felt by the BME community during the period and thanked Secretary of State for commissioning the review on health outcomes among ethnic minorities, inquiring about any delay due to sensitivity of findings.
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Followed up previous question regarding publication delay of PHE report into disproportionate deaths among ethnic minority communities and asked for a timeline on its release.
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Thanked the British Ceramic Confederation for its work advising the Government on safety in hospitality industry. Encouraged use of chip-resistant tableware from Stoke-on-Trent.
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Welcomed Secretary of State's statement about PHE report and urged for more funding to support local public health functions in identifying high-risk individuals.
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Asked the Government to provide an update on what they are doing to support social care in Dudley, Black Country and across the country.
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Expressed concerns about constituents getting in touch regarding PHE report. Highlighted issues such as no recourse to public funds for ethnic minorities and the impact on their health.
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Called for additional investment at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley to maintain social distancing measures while treating patients who require surgery or cancer therapy.
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Asked about the cross-border political agreement regarding shielded people in Wales, and how England's changes were announced without prior communication with Welsh Government.
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Expressed concerns over low testing capacity in Scotland compared to its daily target. Asked for support from the UK Government to ensure Scotland is not left behind during recovery phase.
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Discussed disproportionate impact of coronavirus on BAME communities in her constituency, urging immediate practical steps to protect these communities as lockdown eases.
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Expressed concerns over high number of cases identified in Ashford and requested for a regional testing centre placement there.
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Asked about specific discussions with devolved Administrations regarding the impact on BAME communities across the UK, urging swift action due to the disproportionate impact of coronavirus.
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Congratulated Secretary of State on meeting testing targets. Raised issues with drive-through testing sites in County Durham and requested measures to avoid such problems in future.
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Asked if it is vital to plan for the swift resumption of local and urgent healthcare services such as minor injuries units.
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Emphasised the importance of planning for the restoration of NHS services in a covid-secure manner. Stressed that people should know the NHS is available and to use it when advised by clinicians.
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Questioned why the Government refused to disclose testing numbers despite double counting tests for 11 days, challenging the efficacy of their test, trace and isolate system.
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Welcomed the announcement on research into risk factors for serious illness from covid, including age, sex, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Asked when future reports will be available.
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Asked about relaxing shielding in a super-diverse constituency with significant deprivation, questioning the safety and clarity of Government guidance on shielding.
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Expressed thanks for Redcar and Cleveland being at the forefront of the test, track and trace programme. Asked about plans to reduce social distancing from 2 metres to 1 metre based on guidance.
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Explored constituents' anger over the Dominic Cummings situation, stressing that people see a double standard in public health guidelines.
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Asked for assurances on taking practical steps to alleviate extreme health inequalities within constituencies like Kensington where there is a large disparity in life expectancy between wards.
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Expressed concern about easing lockdown restrictions without meeting all five Government tests, and questioned the readiness of test and trace systems. Asked for additional metrics to monitor and contain transmission.
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Asked for urgent engagement with transport companies and authorities to protect BAME workers in transport sectors from disproportionate impacts of the disease.
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Highlighted that public health professionals believe the success of track and trace is limited by test result turnaround times, requesting a 24-hour turnaround for every test.
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Asked about increasing capacity in independent healthcare providers to deal with non-covid cases such as cancer to reduce the backlog in elective surgery.
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Asked why the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency guidance asks providers of fingerprick tests to stop offering the service, despite their importance in tackling viruses like measles and dengue fever. Asked for scientific data supporting a clinical difference between capillary and venous blood.
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Asked whether domestic PPE manufacturing is being invested in, particularly in south Yorkshire towns with textile heritage such as Thurcroft in Rother Valley.
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Stated the importance of earning and honouring public trust to tackle the virus. Raised concerns about the Government’s response to Dominic Cummings breaking the rules and fears among frontline health professionals about coming out of lockdown too quickly.
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Expressed gratitude for making the bet365 stadium in Stoke-on-Trent a regional testing centre, allowing many constituents rapid access to vital tests. Asked whether these regional test sites will remain in place as long as they are needed.
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Asked if the Secretary of State is using the crisis to increase privatisation and profiteering in the NHS through public-private partnership, citing issues with Deloitte regional test centre results not being provided to local public health authorities.
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Asked whether an assessment has been made of any damage done to the Government’s public health message by the actions of the Prime Minister's special adviser, highlighting sacrifices people have made during lockdown.
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Inquired about additional risks for BME communities with reopening schools and requested discussions with the Department for Education regarding concerns among parents. Asked what steps are being taken to mitigate these concerns.
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Asked advice on how constituents should identify a call from an NHS contact tracer and be cautious of scams attempting to misuse the test, track and trace system.
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Inquired whether the Government would consider upgrading advice on the use of face masks from recommended to mandatory. Mentioned a constituent's initiative to send face masks to all Cabinet members and shadow Cabinet members.
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Expressed concerns about plummeting public confidence over the last few weeks and requested more transparency regarding test, track and trace numbers to restore confidence.
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Welcomed the progress made on testing but raised a concern about a care home in her constituency that caters for people with disabilities under 65 who do not have access to testing as readily available to those over 65 or with dementia.
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Noted the high rate of infection in the north-west and asked the Secretary of State for a commitment to regular publication of regional R values for better local planning and public transparency.
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Asked about the level at which localised restrictions would be reintroduced in case of increases in infection rates, suggesting it could vary from county to village level depending on necessity.
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Expressed concern over mental health services being strained due to the pandemic and requested the Secretary of State to address urgent cases, mentioning a constituent's child in severe psychiatric condition waiting for a specialist bed.
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Asked for reassurance that it was safe for constituents to use beaches in North Devon while maintaining social distancing guidelines.
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Raised the issue of medical cannabis costs for epileptic children and criticised the delays caused by Brexit, a general election, and now the pandemic, urging immediate action from NHS England.
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Congratulated on the track and trace system being up and running and asked for confirmation that his Department would work with large employers like Barrow shipyard to build community confidence.