Covid Fifth Anniversary 2025-06-12

The hon. Member for North East Fife thanked James Asser for securing the debate and spoke about her experience as a new MP during the onset of the pandemic, highlighting the diminished opportunities for cross-party relationships. She discussed the national covid memorial and its significance in remembering the over 200,000 people who died from the disease. Chamberlain also touched on policy responses to the pandemic which showed that four-nation thinking was not always consistent, especially as rules varied across different regions.

Foord highlighted the ongoing impact of the pandemic on families who lost loved ones due to vaccine side effects. He shared the story of Adam Bounds, a constituent who died from vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Foord emphasised the need for a functioning compensation system and cited 20,000 people in Devon reported with long covid.

Collins spoke about constituents affected by long covid, such as Anna, a 12-year-old who has daily symptoms. She advocated for a covid register and care pathway to support those with ongoing health issues.

Sandher discussed the economic impact of the pandemic on low-paid workers, young people, and areas outside London. He noted that quantitative easing and low interest rates benefitted wealthy baby boomers while younger generations struggled with housing affordability and job insecurity.

Young highlighted the exclusion of thousands of self-employed people and business owners from Government support during the pandemic due to arbitrary criteria, emphasising ongoing struggles for these individuals five years later.

Arthur acknowledged the continued risk posed by covid and emphasised the prevalence of long covid alongside other chronic conditions. He mentioned Sophie's story to illustrate the reality of living with long-term health impacts, urging recognition in healthcare policy.

Hatton discussed the experiences of young people with long covid through the organisation Long Covid Kids and advocated for consideration alongside other illnesses in health policy development.

Sophie is one of a small but growing number of constituents who write to me with stories that highlight the seemingly irreversible impact that a covid infection has had on their lives. With no proven treatments or a cure in sight, we cannot afford to treat covid as old news.

The consequences were real and the sacrifices immeasurable. Today, as we reflect on that time, we carry a duty to not just remember but learn the lessons for the future. For many of us, the covid pandemic feels like a closed chapter... However, I must express my disappointment. As chair of the all-party group on vulnerable groups to pandemics, I wrote to the previous Minister and the current Minister, asking them to meet me and those immunocompromised patients. To date, I have not received a response, so I would be grateful if the Minister would follow up on that matter directly.

I first pay tribute to the amazing health workers, volunteers and key workers who supported us through that turbulent time... In conclusion, I remind the House that roughly 1.85 million babies were born during the UK pandemic years, and all those children have mothers who had to face that time alone, confused and forgotten.

It may be five years since the pandemic began, but those years cast a long shadow. Regrettably, the effects will be felt for many years to come... Leading anti-corruption charity Transparency International UK produced a 2024 report, “Behind the Mask”, which found a total of 135 high-risk covid-19 contracts, totalling £15.3 billion.

Hon. Members have mentioned the memorial wall on the banks of the Thames, opposite this place... In the remaining seconds that I have, I pay tribute to all our key workers, everyone in our NHS and all our communities.

Children in constituencies are still suffering setbacks in learning and social skills after nearly two years of disrupted schooling. The Government should invest in these children to prevent a lost generation.

Covid is not over, it doubles the risk of heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms and deep-vein thrombosis. Long covid affects children in particular with persistent brain inflammation causing cognitive impediments. Up to 20% of children are experiencing long covid symptoms. Repeat infections increase the risk of cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases.

Children with diabetes must be treated similarly to those suffering from long covid, considering its unique impact on their health.

The pandemic affected children significantly who could not see friends for weeks. Long-term impacts include cardiovascular disease and diabetes in children due to long covid.

UK's preparation was inadequate leading to unnecessary suffering, especially among the most vulnerable. The Government must act on the inquiry’s recommendations, establish a commissioner for ageing and older people, and improve public health services.

Congratulated James Asser on securing the debate. Paid tribute to the emergency services, councillors, people of the country, those who worked in health and social care, and those who lost loved ones or were affected by the vaccine. Highlighted the need for better preparation for future pandemics, supporting the call for a review of the vaccine damage payment scheme.

Called for a study into the long-term impact on the wellbeing of frontline staff dealing with traumatic situations to understand impacts on health and productivity within the NHS. Acknowledged Edward Argar's speech about the need to learn from past events.