Covid-19 Update

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care outlined new coronavirus measures, including the rule of six, which limits social gatherings to no more than six people. The government aims to simplify and strengthen rules to make them easier to understand and enforce. He also mentioned stricter enforcement through requiring hospitality venues to collect contact details from patrons and close down venues posing a risk to public health. Additionally, he discussed efforts to keep schools open while controlling the virus and highlighted increased testing capacity with plans for rapid tests to help people lead more normal lives.

Raises issues about school closures due to positive cases, criticises Test and Trace's performance, demands immediate support for those who need to self-isolate without losing their jobs, questions the Government on Project Moonshot's feasibility, cost, and delivery timeline.

Defends government actions in response to rising cases, clarifies eligibility for testing, emphasises support from universities, businesses, and the NHS for mass testing. Acknowledges ongoing review of staff testing policies but does not provide a timeline.

Welcomes ambition behind Operation Moonshot and asks about proportion of 10 million tests achievable with existing versus new technologies.

My right hon. Friend is a great supporter of the UK’s businesses and entrepreneurs. In his measures to tackle the virus, will he intercede with his public health colleagues to prioritise the businesses that generate economic growth so that when this is over we have an economy that is prosperous enough to cash the very generous cheques that we have written?

A significant increase in covid cases has been confirmed in Liverpool over the past week, with widespread community transmission. I have been contacted by constituents with symptoms who are trying to book a test and either cannot or are told to go to Oldham, Manchester, Powys, or Colwyn Bay, even though there is a testing facility at Liverpool airport just down the road, in the constituency. Will the Secretary of State explain why that is, and say why there is no availability of home test kits, given that there appears to be so much unused testing capacity?

I understand the recent actions that my right hon. Friend has taken to limit gatherings to six people, and I encourage everyone in West Bromwich East and the wider west midlands to follow the new rules. Does he agree that West Bromwich should remain separate from any local lockdown in central Birmingham, given that they are two distinct areas with varying rates of infection?

I thank the Secretary of State for the new test centre in Wythenshawe town centre that opened this week, but may I challenge him on the consistency of governance around his Department? In Greater Manchester, Manchester Evening News is reporting that Bolton has been subject to four sets of rule changes in the past fortnight. ITV is saying that 74 local authorities have a higher infection rate now than Greater Manchester had before it went into lockdown. Last week, my constituency of Wythenshawe and Sale East, which straddles Manchester and Trafford, would have been split asunder if the Department had not U-turned. Restrictions in Greater Manchester are not working because infection rates have mushroomed. What is next, Secretary of State?

The Secretary of State must accept that there is a problem here. Constituents of mine in Kent displaying symptoms of covid were this week advised to go for tests in Bude in Cornwall and Galashiels in Scotland—and this is in a mild September, before the autumn and winter when people have coughs and colds that may look like symptoms of covid. It is no good blaming people who are asymptomatic. I would be interested if the Secretary of State could say what percentage of people turning up for testing do not have symptoms. This situation needs his personal grip. He referred to the need for him to increase testing capacity from 1,000 a day to 100,000 a day. This is an urgent matter that he needs to grip before the autumn and winter bites. Will he commit to ensuring that by the end of the month anyone who has symptoms of covid can get a test at a reasonable place that is convenient to their home?

Many of my constituents are incredibly anxious about schools reopening and want to send their children off to school in the knowledge that they are safe. I am sure that the Health Secretary agrees that keeping schools open safely requires a testing infrastructure that is fit for purpose, so can he explain to the House why each school has been provided with only 10 testing kits?

A successful return to school in west Berkshire has been matched with a reduction in the availability of testing. I have listened to my right hon. Friend this morning; if there is a reluctance to impose more stringent eligibility criteria, would he consider an order of priority based on, for example, working parents and teachers being able to access tests sooner?

Will the Secretary of State please explain the lack of availability of home testing kits, which has dropped dramatically in my area of West Lancashire? In the absence of home testing kits, very ill pensioners are being offered tests 80 or 100 miles away. The confusing message in the assurance that he is trying to give is that there are too many getting tested, but that, if in doubt, people should get tested. How does that deal with the asymptomatic carriers or spreaders? This is a huge hidden danger. In the light of the Secretary of State’s earlier comment, my constituents would genuinely love to get with the programme, get tested where necessary and stay safe—if only the Government’s words met their actual experience of the system.

To reiterate the point made by my constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich East (Nicola Richards), my communities in Wednesbury, Oldbury and Tipton are in themselves unique and very diverse, particularly from Birmingham. I was very reassured by my right hon. Friend’s reply to my question last week about a sub-local level approach to national restrictions. Can he confirm what that looks like in detail and, in particular, where the lines will be drawn, and can he assure me that the approach taken will not be an arbitrary line-drawing process but a real engagement with local stakeholders?

Raises concerns about the impact of lockdown measures on Bolton's hospitality industry and constituents' physical and emotional well-being. Requests for better testing facilities in Bolton and more financial assistance from the Chancellor to support businesses, noting that current aid is insufficient.

Expresses appreciation for progress on saliva testing but highlights logistical challenges such as a booking system error directing hundreds of cars to Telford’s testing site, causing roadblocks and turning away out-of-town residents.

Questions the logic behind exempting organised sport from new regulations while families are restricted from meeting outdoors. Inquires about upcoming sporting events in Twickenham and their implications for public health guidelines.

Asks if the strategic goal is to protect NHS capacity from being overwhelmed or pursue a zero-covid strategy. Points out that earlier restrictions were accepted to safeguard healthcare services but current measures might be overstepping.

Promotes the importance of flu vaccinations in protecting NHS capacity during winter and requests an update on vaccine supplies for at-risk groups, including those aged 50 or older if initial supply permits.

Critiques the lack of debate and vote in Parliament regarding recent profound restrictions imposed by the Government on personal liberty and family life.

Highlights issues with local testing facilities and distances residents have to travel for tests. Criticises the Secretary of State’s previous explanations attributing rising cases to various groups, urging him to rectify current testing inefficiencies.

Requests assurance that youth organisations like scouting and guiding can continue safely within new guidelines. Highlights the importance of such activities for young people’s social development.

Inquires about details regarding recruitment, pay structure, and roles of proposed 'covid marshals' to enforce social distancing in town centres. Requests timely publication of these details.

Requests assurances for the funding situation at Leighton Hospital, addressing concerns raised by local Labour Party about additional funds needed to prepare for winter challenges under covid conditions. Seeks a meeting with Secretary of State to discuss long-term investment.

Emphasised the importance of meeting constituents, specifically a qualified doctor from Crewe who has been working on the frontline during lockdown. Stressed that testing sites operate in a covid-secure way and reiterated that the average distance people travel for tests is 6.4 miles, with 90% travelling less than 22 miles.

Asked about the current testing system's role in spreading the virus due to long distances some infectious people travel for tests without proper contact tracing.

Inquired about ways to effectively communicate that asymptomatic individuals should not get tested, suggesting a 'snappy' title akin to the rule of six.

Questioned what powers and training Prime Minister’s new covid marshals will have and what enforcement powers local authorities have been granted.

Asked about the technology supporting booking of testing to match demand more closely with supply locally.

Requested a commitment for continuing extra resources like mobile testing units in her community to prevent spikes in infections and avoid having to close down again.

Welcomed the commitment to mass testing and asked about fixing a glitch that directs individuals to far-away test sites instead of local ones.

Inquired when England would launch a contact tracing app similar to Scotland’s Protect Scotland, which has had 160,000 downloads.

Asked about the scope for flexing resources at short notice as schools return and demand for testing increases.

Expressed sympathy towards mass testing but raised concerns over false positives leading to unnecessary self-isolation among contacts.

Asked for assurance that parents can continue applying for home-testing kits promptly to address delays and difficulties accessing testing, especially concerning school reopenings.

Sought details on discussions with countries like Norway and Sweden regarding alternative approaches in balancing health concerns with economic support.

Outlines challenges faced by constituents in obtaining coronavirus tests, highlighting issues with long distances to testing centres and delays in receiving results.

Responds to concerns about test availability and advises that home tests have been sent to some individuals while acknowledging technical problems. Emphasises the importance of self-isolation and testing for controlling virus spread.

Raises concerns about a 'second, quieter epidemic' in mental health due to the pandemic and asks what plans exist to support areas like Gateshead before it becomes a crisis.

Questions the interpretation of data regarding pandemic measures and their impact, suggesting that current policies may be worse than the disease itself.

Highlights significant problems in test and trace systems, expressing frustration with low testing rates and difficulty for constituents to access tests due to long distances or lack of transportation options.

Asks about advice for care homes allowing visits in gardens amid concerns over worsening weather conditions as winter approaches.

Expresses concern that residents are being directed to travel long distances for testing and asks how the Government intends to work with Wales to address this issue.

Encourages collaboration between the government and local businesses, such as Honeyman Group in Barnard Castle, which has potential capacity for large-scale testing.

Questions the timing of restrictions and the readiness of the NHS Test and Trace app compared to Scotland’s Protect Scotland app, urging quicker implementation.