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Question
The MP asked whether ministers would be willing to consider the possibility that the government has been too hasty in its decision-making process regarding travel from Denmark, and suggested that the government might have overreacted.
Minister reply
The Minister replied that the Government's responsibility is to take action based on scientific evidence. The Danish variant raises serious risks for this country, so it was right to act decisively.
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Question
The MP inquired about the status of testing facilities and support for religious communities, such as churches, synagogues, and mosques.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that PCR tests are being used extensively across the country. They also have lateral flow tests, which are being rolled out to Liverpool and other cities. The aim is to provide these tests widely and effectively.
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Question
The MP asked for clarification on the financial support available to those in isolation and expressed concern about the impact of the current lockdown measures.
Minister reply
The Minister reiterated that the Government's priority is to suppress the virus, which is why financial support is being provided. They continue to work with local authorities and communities to mitigate any negative impacts.
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Question
The MP asked about the procurement of lateral flow tests, particularly in relation to the supply chain.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that the government has been working closely with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure a steady supply of testing kits. This includes both PCR and lateral flow tests.
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Question
The MP inquired about the procurement process for PPE and ventilators earlier in the pandemic.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged that while there were challenges early on, significant progress has been made. They have since secured a reliable supply of PPE.
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Question
As always, I thank the Secretary of State for advanced sight of his statement. May I just take this opportunity to congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Harris? I am sure the whole House looks forward to close international co-operation to defeat this virus. I welcome the announcement, in the past 24 hours, of routine testing for frontline NHS staff.
Minister reply
I am very grateful to the hon. Member for his questions and for the approach that he is rightly taking. Like him, I am delighted that we are able to roll-out routine testing to NHS staff. That starts today. I am grateful to him for his support and I am grateful for the support and the urging of the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt). On contact tracing, we continue to work on the constant improvement needed, but, as the hon. Member said, the expansion of testing in a radical way because of the new technology that we have invested in and spent months working on, means that we will now be able to find more of the primary cases and more of the people who have the disease and then will be able to get them and their contacts to isolate.
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Question
I warmly congratulate the Health Secretary on securing access to the new vaccine. Choosing which vaccine to back must be a bit like playing roulette, and to secure 40 million doses of the first vaccine to prove efficacious is an enormous achievement for the country. He deserves great credit for that.
Minister reply
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. He is generous with his words. I also direct his warm words of gratitude to the vaccine’s taskforce, which has done so much work to ensure that we procure and secure the supplies of these vaccines, should they prove safe as well as efficacious. On Sir John Bell’s comments, that option of testing people regularly—not if they are a primary case and have the virus, but if they are a contact—would not be open to us had we not secured the huge capacity for lateral-flow testing that we now have in this country. I very much look to clinicians for advice. Sir John Bell is a highly respected clinician and expert in this area, and I am sure that everybody will want to look closely at that issue.
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Question
Asked about plans to prevent covid-19 from getting out of control when restrictions are eased, the sensitivity and specificity data for lateral flow tests, progress on PCR testing, and measures to improve isolation rates. Also questioned the effectiveness of current test and trace systems compared to devolved nations.
Minister reply
Responded that they will aim to come out of lockdown into a tiered approach if rules are followed. Confirmed lateral flow tests have high confidence in identifying infectious people with lower false positivity issues than PCR tests. Mentioned differences in measuring successful contacts and the importance of isolation when positive or asked by NHS Test and Trace.
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Question
Asked if rapid result lateral flow tests will be offered to specific groups, particularly close relatives of care home residents who wish to make regular visits.
Minister reply
Confirmed that directors of public health can use lateral flow tests for important local cases, including visiting care homes. Mentioned the need to balance safety in care homes with allowing safe visits.
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Question
Asked about the timeline for vaccine roll-out and plans to ensure high take-up among deprived communities, considering mutations could affect children.
Minister reply
Stated that the goal is to roll out vaccines as quickly as possible after manufacturing, with a focus on equality in distribution based on clinical need. Emphasised the importance of ensuring equal roll-out across all communities.
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Question
Asked for clarity on when people can safely start to consider family events and holidays as well as business operations returning to normal.
Minister reply
Replied that they aim to get back to normal quickly but must await clinical safety sign-off before proceeding, prioritising vaccine roll-out as fast as possible without compromising safety.
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Question
Asked about plans for ensuring high take-up of the vaccine among deprived communities and if there will be an inequalities target.
Minister reply
Confirmed efforts to ensure equal distribution based on clinical need, with a particular focus on reaching vulnerable and harder-to-reach communities.
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Question
Asked for reassurance that enough vaccinations will support both care home residents and workers in North Norfolk.
Minister reply
Reassured that the priority is vaccinating care home residents and staff, as they are among the most vulnerable to the disease.
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Question
Asked about arrangements for vaccine supply following Brexit transition period end, considering it must be kept at minus 70°C.
Minister reply
Confirmed that plans have been made to deliver vaccines regardless of the outcomes of negotiations with Europe.
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Question
My right hon. Friend’s strategy is to ‘suppress the virus’ until a vaccine can be deployed, but this is still beset by uncertainties such as mink in Denmark spreading the virus back to humans. Is contact tracing crucial for managing uncertainty?
Minister reply
Of course it is important to continue building and strengthening the contact tracing system. Managing through uncertainty is critical, including uncertainties about the safety of the Pfizer vaccine.
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Question
Is there a plan to ensure that each region receives an adequate amount of vaccines based on priority need rather than estimation?
Minister reply
Yes, this is a UK programme and I am working closely with the health counterpart in Northern Ireland to make sure we get the roll-out as effective as possible across the whole United Kingdom.
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Question
What measures are being taken to ensure support for new families with newborns during lockdown?
Minister reply
Our goal is that all maternity services and perinatal health services should stay open. The best thing we can do for this agenda is to try to keep the virus under control.
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Question
Why have black, Asian and minority groups not been included in the composition of priority groups for vaccination despite their higher risk factors?
Minister reply
The JCVI has considered the disproportionate impact on BAME communities but based its recommendations primarily around age and occupational groups that directly support vulnerable people.
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Question
How often should the Health and Safety Executive undertake physical checks in premises where outbreaks have occurred, such as food processing factories?
Minister reply
The HSE takes a risk-based approach to visits. It is down to local authorities to notify MPs of significant issues, although we may also work directly with MPs if necessary.
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Question
How can testing be rolled out for agency workers and family members visiting care homes to reduce the risk of transmission?
Minister reply
We want to stop agency workers working in multiple care homes and are looking at ways to include regular carers in the testing regime.
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Question
What discussions have been had with the Treasury about scrapping VAT on PPE?
Minister reply
This is a matter for the Treasury. The Government has made PPE freely available to health and social care until the end of this financial year.
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Question
What are the details regarding distributing vitamin D to care homes and other vulnerable groups?
Minister reply
We are working on this closely but not yet in a position to answer all questions, including dosages proposed and target groups.
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Question
Will there be restrictions on meetings between vaccinated people and non-vaccinated people before the vaccine is available for everyone?
Minister reply
We do not know when the vaccine will be ready. Further judgments about social distancing rules will depend on how much it protects individuals and stops transmission.
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Question
Can 15-minute tests be made available to the aviation sector soon?
Minister reply
We are working closely with the aviation industry, and I hope we can make some progress soon on making these tests available.
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Question
A constituent’s father is in a care home. He is non-verbal and relies on touch to communicate. She has not been able to hug her dad for over eight months. Will the Secretary of State urgently set out the scope of his pilot keyworker-status scheme, accelerate its implementation and tell us when regular rapid testing and PPE will allow my constituent to safely hold her dad’s hand again?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady puts the point very movingly. The Minister for Care is leading on this issue with great compassion and I hope that we can make some progress soon.
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Question
Welcoming the news of a vaccine, but noting confusion caused by different lockdown measures in different parts of the UK, will my right hon. Friend confirm that the vaccine will be available in all parts of the Union? Does he agree that pre-purchase of doses has given us access to vaccines?
Minister reply
There is absolutely no doubt that we have worked together as a United Kingdom to put ourselves in a strong position when it comes to access to the Pfizer vaccine, and we have worked together to ensure that, should it come off, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be available across all parts of this United Kingdom.
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Question
Priests are unable to administer sacraments and rabbis cannot secure a minyan in care homes. How will his Government try to ensure they recognise that a person’s spiritual needs are critical for their mental health?
Minister reply
Of course we recognise exactly that, and the hon. Gentleman puts it well. Ministers are working with faith leaders on how we can come to an arrangement, as soon as possible, to allow both communal prayer and all other aspects of nurturing worship.
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Question
Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby currently has twice as many COVID-19 patients in intensive care units compared to the height of the previous lockdown. Despite good news regarding vaccines, does my right hon. Friend agree that people must adhere to the rules to reduce transmission?
Minister reply
Yes, my hon. Friend puts it absolutely right, and that is the reason for the caution we in Government are showing.
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Question
For the vaccine to be effective, widespread take-up is required. The Prime Minister said a strategy to counter anti-vaxxer misinformation was to hope people will not listen to those arguments. Can the Health Secretary assure that his Department has a more detailed strategy?
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Question
The Secretary of State’s update is welcome news for the shielding community. At my meeting with the deputy chief medical officer last week, she informed me that 15,000 children are still being asked to shield this time around and will not receive the vaccine. What does he say to parents and carers?
Minister reply
Of course, we will continue to work on a clinically-led basis with everybody across the country who needs support. The vaccines were not trialled on children.
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Question
The amended graphs used to justify the lockdown now show a 40% reduction in death rate in the upper quartile as against their first presentation, so the NHS would have coped, wouldn’t it?
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Question
Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust now has over 280 COVID patients. That is more than 70% higher than in April. The staff are doing an amazing job, but I am really worried about the pressure they are under. Will the Secretary of State work urgently with Yorkshire hospitals to get them more support and more staff in place?
Minister reply
Yes, of course. We are working with hospitals across Yorkshire and across the whole country to try to make sure that we have the most capacity available.
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Question
On prioritising health and social care staff for vaccines, is not one of the key reasons that by ensuring they are first in line, should it come forward and be proved safe, we will help to boost hospital capacity at a crucial time?
Minister reply
Yes, that is a really important point. Part of the challenge of, and the reason for, a second lockdown was NHS capacity.
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Question
Families are beginning to hope in the possibility of a vaccine. It is vital that we prioritise mental health resilience and confidence in learning among our young people. Outdoor education centres in Cumbria and across the country face closure, yet they can help with just that. Would the Secretary of State agree to work with the Department for Education to try to change that advice and to make sure outdoor education centres remain open?
Minister reply
I am very happy to look at that matter with my right hon. Friend the Education Secretary.
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Question
Warmly congratulating my right hon. Friend on securing the vaccine, may I bring the discussion back to the here and now? The announcement of provision of 10% of lateral flow tests to local areas is very important. Will these have an impact on the tiering system? If not known now, could he write to me at a later stage?
Minister reply
I will write to my right hon. Friend on exactly this matter.
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Question
Good to hear some good news about the vaccine on the way, and vitamin D too. Earlier in the pandemic, people with non-COVID health issues were told not to suffer in silence. Now we hear that non-elective surgeries are being cancelled; I think all are off at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. What is the advice now? If it is the wrong advice, could this mean the loss of lives?
Minister reply
We want as little impact on the rest of NHS activity as possible. Of course, we are having to take that action in some high-prevalence areas.
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Question
Pays tribute to the vaccine and military's role in mass testing. Asks about future plans for military involvement with the vaccine roll-out.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the armed forces' significant contribution during the pandemic, emphasising their ongoing support in mass testing and future roles.
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Question
Asks about handling of student mass testing for Christmas return home and its coordination with local public health systems.
Minister reply
Confirms universities will lead the mass testing but highlights the crucial role of local public health expertise in ensuring effective coordination.
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Question
Welcomes announcement on vaccine roll-out and efficacy. Questions whether it shows that following scientists' advice is the right approach.
Minister reply
Agrees with the importance of listening to scientists over pundits who advocate letting the virus spread without control.
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Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Question
Asks for guidance on targeting rapid lateral flow tests sent to local authorities.
Minister reply
Indicates guidance will be provided but encourages directors of public health to use their expertise flexibly and report back.
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Question
Requests meeting with the Secretary of State regarding delayed cancer screenings affecting constituents like Kellie Shiers.
Minister reply
Agrees to meet to discuss the issue, emphasising the importance of controlling the virus to maintain NHS capacity for other essential treatments.
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Question
Asks about circumstances under which early easing of lockdown restrictions might be considered in low-infection areas.
Minister reply
Confirms data review is ongoing but emphasises focus on getting numbers down to enable the tiered system.
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Question
Asks about purpose of Nightingale hospitals when staffing shortages exist.
Minister reply
Explains that Nightingales serve as additional surge capacity but prefers existing hospitals handle cases whenever possible.
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Question
Requests fair pay for care workers and outsourced facilities management staff, highlighting their contributions during the pandemic.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of raising pay through measures like the national living wage increase.
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Question
Asks about Government's intention to work with devolved Administrations for a unified set of Christmas rules across the UK.
Minister reply
Hopes ongoing talks will lead to consistent and fair rules across the UK for the Christmas period.
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Question
Questions whether lack of financial support for those traced by covid app might discourage self-isolation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the challenge but confirms work is ongoing to ensure adequate support for those traced through apps.
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Question
Praises nurses' frontline roles and inquires about potential pay rise due given their high-risk nature of the job.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the question but refers it to the appropriate devolved authority for a direct response.
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Question
Students and their families across the country will be pleased with the news that students are to be offered covid tests as early as 30 November. Subsequent to the Secretary of State’s answer, may I ask whether similar arrangements will be put in place in January?
Minister reply
One step at a time.
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Question
Given the unique challenges of infection control in university cities such as York, will the wider roll-out of mass testing be available across these cities for the whole population?
Minister reply
Yes, the roll-out and the 10% of population per week availability of lateral flow tests is available to directors of public health right across the country. If that has not already been organised with York, I urge the director of public health in York to come forward and work with the team to make that happen.
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Question
How far away are we from further doses coming on board, and how is local government involved in coordinating this roll-out?
Minister reply
Yes, it will be a huge task. The NHS is leading on it, and of course the NHS reaches all parts of this country. As for the flow of the future doses that we have secured, the only one that is in immediate prospect is AstraZeneca.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State also consider prioritising those working in teaching professions and childcare for the roll-out of the vaccine?
Minister reply
Of course I understand the importance of that, hence we protected education and kept schools open as much as possible through this second peak.
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Question
Is there any opportunity for Nightingale staff to come in and assist so that some of these hard-pressed doctors and nurses could have slightly more time off?
Minister reply
I thank staff at the Royal Derby for the work that they are doing. These are difficult circumstances. One of the reasons why we brought in measures was to protect the NHS from the increase in the number of cases.
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Question
Can the Secretary of State commit to ensuring that cancer professionals are not redeployed away from cancer treatment and care?
Minister reply
Yes, that is absolutely our goal—to keep all cancer treatment going during this second phase. So far, that has been successful everywhere; even where hospitals have had to postpone non-urgent activity, they have not postponed cancer treatment.
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Question
What update can the Secretary of State give the House on the new strain of coronavirus identified in mink in Denmark?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises an incredibly important point. We acted very fast, including working with the Scottish Government and the other devolved Governments, to take the action that we did at the end of last week.
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Question
What steps are being taken to stop any new outbreak from the strain?
Minister reply
We acted very fast. We are concerned about this outbreak and I think that there is an international case, on public health grounds, for addressing the question of mink farming.
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Question
The Royal Stoke University Hospital in my constituency has more than double the number of covid patients compared to the first peak. Will the Secretary of State join me in praising the heroic efforts of our NHS staff in Stoke-on-Trent?
Minister reply
Yes. I know Stoke-on-Trent’s hospital and I think that the people who work there do a brilliant job.
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Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
When the Secretary of State talks to the Scottish Government, will he make sure that such people are reached out to with the vaccine?
Minister reply
Yes. Our principle is to roll out the vaccine across the whole of the UK according to clinical need.
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Question
Teesside Dementia Link Services has told me about pain suffered by many in our care homes who are unable to see loved ones. I ask my right hon. Friend to continue to do everything he can to ensure that we safely and meaningfully reunite families.
Minister reply
I am a fan of new technology because it can help to improve people’s lives, and this is one example. New technology will help to enable people to see their loved ones in care homes.