Covid-19 Restrictions: South Yorkshire

Question

The Member of Parliament from Middlesbrough questioned whether North East Derbyshire, an area bordering South Yorkshire and currently under tier two restrictions, would face similar stringent measures.

Question

The Member of Parliament from York Central sought clarity on when and how areas can transition out of lockdown status, highlighting concerns about hospital admission levels.

Question

Asked about the rationale behind South Yorkshire's tier 3 status, whether other areas might face similar restrictions, and requested clarity on criteria for lockdown duration and exit. Criticised contact tracing inadequacies and wage support reductions as compared to March. Pointed out potential three-week national lockdown plans by officials.

Question

Asked if Doncaster can move down to tier 2 independently of Sheffield city region based on local compliance.

Question

Asked about the relationship with regional leaders, the timing of announcements, and whether financial support will be fully Barnettised.

Question

Praised local leaders' collaborative approach and requested regular discussions about progress towards easing restrictions.

Question

Acknowledging the need for measures to combat the virus, Olivia Blake expressed concern about individuals falling through the cracks of support schemes and questioned whether an income topped up by universal credit at 80% is sufficient. She mentioned specific cases where childcare funding was not accessible.

Question

Concerned about the impact of increased restrictions on mental health, Alexander Stafford asked for assurances that mental health would be a key part of the system and receive adequate support.

Question

Blomfield criticised the deal for not meeting local leaders' concerns or adequately supporting businesses, particularly in sectors like hospitality that are unviable under current restrictions.

Question

Asked how tier 3 areas would be prioritised over tier 1 areas in the protocols for vaccination.

Question

Jarvis expressed support for the necessary actions but urged close working with local authorities and NHS to get a grip of the disease as soon as possible.

Question

Asked whether there are plans for local three-week circuit breaker lockdowns, as reported.

Question

Emphasised the importance of transparency and asked whether criteria for moving into tier 3 and out would be applied consistently across regions.

Question

Questioned potential discrepancies in infection rate data due to testing site locations.

Question

Asked about discussions and assistance given to Northern Ireland regarding job losses due to lockdowns.

Question

Complimented local politicians, including Dan Jarvis, for their constructive cross-party negotiations.

Question

Will the Government now give the Serco data to local public health teams, and will the Government provide the financial resources that those local teams need? That equates to roughly £300 million to the Liverpool city region.

Question

How can we better address the sense of disenfranchisement so that we give ourselves the best chance of staying in tier 2?

Question

Does the Minister recognise that each local authority has different economies, complexities, and vulnerabilities?

Question

Will the Minister give an assurance that powers to use reasonable force will be limited only to police officers?

Question

Why are they pursuing damaging restrictions on areas such as South Yorkshire, with inadequate financial support?

Question

Will my hon. Friend help to scotch any rumours that North Yorkshire is about to go into tier 2?

Question

Sadly, it seems that none of the 18 Labour MPs has received an invite. Is that an accidental oversight or further evidence of increasing ambivalence towards our city region?

Question

Will the Minister confirm that when other areas face changes to local restrictions, his Department will continue to work with local leaders and Members of Parliament?

Question

How does the Minister expect people to live on only two-thirds of that poverty pay?

Question

What support can the Government offer to the local authority to monitor people from South Yorkshire in Cleethorpes?

Question

One big concern about the local lockdowns in South Yorkshire and elsewhere is that if there is not enough money to support businesses to survive, there will be a longer-term impact on the economy and individual livelihoods if that is not put right. That will have a big impact on public health, and one of the biggest concerns is the loneliness of people living in single households, and the impact on their mental health. How is the Minister looking ahead—I hope that he will answer this point directly—to ensure that there is no long-term oncost to the health service from this misery for people who are left alone and are now unable to mix with households in South Yorkshire and other areas with hard lockdowns?

Question

These tough measures will have a huge impact on the lives of local people. Can my hon. Friend assure me that the Government will do everything they can to provide an extensive package of support to local people, businesses and councils and that his Department will continue to do everything it can to avoid the need for such a lockdown in Stockton South?

Question

The hospitality and tourism industry in Cumbria is comfortably our biggest employer. It was very much looking forward to half-term next week, as a chance for businesses to pick up after the enormous damage they have sustained as a result of the virus. However, we are seeing cancellation after cancellation, because neighbouring economies in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and now, of course, other parts of the north England have been put into tier 3 and people are therefore not able to travel. Rather than quibbling over £5 million, people in Cumbria are getting nothing—no compensation for their businesses collapsing. Will the Minister commit to making sure there is support of the hospitality and tourism industry in tier 1 places such as Cumbria, where our market has dried up because our neighbours are in tier 3?

Question

None of us wants to see restrictions like those announced for Yorkshire today, but we all recognise the need to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. However, I am increasingly concerned about the long-term health impact the pandemic is having on things like mental health and long-term serious health conditions. A good example is the recent commissioning decision by NHS England to withdraw breast cancer screening units from places such as New Mills, Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, citing covid as the reason for the withdrawal. Will the Minister agree to meet me, so we can discuss how to reinstate breast cancer screening units to High Peak?

Question

Local and regional authority leaders from South Yorkshire and right the way across the country will have heard the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister repeatedly say in the past 24 hours that they cannot exceed the items offered to Merseyside in their negotiations elsewhere. Will the Minister at least be honest and say that this is not a negotiation? It is a take-it-or-leave-it deal that other authorities can take. Those who lead authorities have to ask themselves the question: what is the point of negotiating?

Question

North East Derbyshire sits on the outskirts of South Yorkshire and many towns and villages, such as Dronfield, Eckington, Killamarsh and Ridgeway, look towards Sheffield for work and education. For the benefit of those residents, will the Minister confirm that there has been no change to the tier level in North East Derbyshire, that the rules remain the same unless those residents are travelling to Sheffield and that North East Derbyshire will continue to be dealt with on an independent basis, while working closely with Sheffield when we review our tier status in future?