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Trends in Excess Deaths
20 October 2023
Lead MP
Andrew Bridgen
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Justice & CourtsStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Andrew Bridgen raised concerns about trends in excess deaths in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP raised concerns about the increase in excess deaths since July 2021, particularly affecting younger individuals. He criticised the lack of transparency and adequate data collection by organisations such as ONS regarding unexpected mortality rates. Bridgen highlighted discrepancies in baseline calculations used to determine expected death counts, arguing that including deaths from abnormal periods like 2021 skews results. He discussed issues with delayed reporting due to investigations by coroners, leading to incomplete data on actual death figures. The speech covered excess deaths across different age groups and questioned the correlation between vaccine rollouts and increased mortality rates, suggesting a need for thorough investigation into vaccine safety and efficacy.
Karl McCartney
Con
Lincoln
The hon. Member emphasised the importance of highlighting issues with excess deaths due to the failure of mainstream media in addressing this critical topic.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged an increase in excess deaths but disagreed with the analysis presented, attributing it to various factors including high flu prevalence, ongoing challenges from COVID-19, strep A outbreaks, and chronic conditions. She noted that while there is a high rate of vaccination among those who have died, this does not necessarily imply causality. The Minister cited studies indicating lower all-cause mortality rates for vaccinated individuals since the introduction of boosters in 2021. She addressed vaccine safety concerns, encouraging reporting through the yellow card system and highlighting actions taken by the MHRA based on reported adverse events, such as changes to vaccination guidelines based on rare side effects.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.