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Covid-19 Update
09 February 2021
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Justice & Courts
Other Contributors: 64
At a Glance
Matthew Hancock raised concerns about covid-19 update 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:
Government Statement
The statement outlines new measures to protect the UK against the spread of coronavirus, including hotel quarantine for residents returning from high-risk countries, strengthened testing requirements, and enhanced enforcement. The minister emphasises the importance of genomic sequencing, contact tracing, surge testing, border health protection, and vaccine distribution to address new variants of the virus. Hotel quarantine costs £1,750 per individual. Enhanced testing involves mandatory PCR tests on days two and eight post-arrival for all international arrivals, with enforcement measures such as fines up to £10,000 and potential prison sentences. The minister highlights the importance of these measures in protecting public health amidst efforts to vaccinate over 12.2 million people.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
The MP asks about the current situation regarding over-70s seeking vaccination appointments and inquires if there are plans to drive up vaccination levels in minority ethnic communities, specifically highlighting issues faced by Leicester.
Minister reply
The minister responds by acknowledging the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy among diverse communities. He agrees that more needs to be done to ensure equitable access to vaccinations and states a commitment to rectify any issues identified, such as those affecting Leicester.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
The MP questions the effectiveness of measures announced by the Secretary of State regarding new variants and highlights concerns about retrospective testing and tracing in areas with variants. He also discusses financial support issues for those who test positive.
Minister reply
The minister asserts that the Government is taking robust actions to address new variants, including hotel quarantine and enhanced testing protocols. Regarding financial support, he acknowledges challenges but emphasises ongoing efforts to improve Test and Trace efficacy and financial assistance processes.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
The MP inquires about the implementation of air filtration systems in public buildings, updates on mask guidance similar to Germany's requirements, and higher-grade PPE for frontline NHS staff.
Minister reply
The minister responds by stating that he will consider the installation of air filtration systems based on scientific evidence. He also commits to reviewing mask guidelines and PPE standards to ensure they meet current public health advice.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
The MP raises concerns about support for children of alcoholics during the pandemic, particularly regarding excess deaths from liver disease.
Minister reply
The minister assures that the Government is committed to supporting organisations aiding children in homes affected by substance misuse issues and will provide additional resources as needed.
Jon Ashworth
Labour Co-operative
Dartford
Question
Congratulates the Secretary of State on the vaccination roll-out and inquires about reports of NHS computer systems not being ready to accept phone-based appointments for over-70s. Asks about the plan to drive up vaccination rates among minority ethnic communities, specifically mentioning Leicester's exclusion from local authority funding lists for tackling vaccine hesitancy. Questions whether more extensive quarantine controls are necessary at borders and why certain countries with identified variants are not on the red list. Raises concerns about financial support for those who test positive and cannot work from home, referencing the high rejection rate of applications for financial assistance. Inquires about installing air filtration systems in public buildings such as schools and updating guidance on face masks and PPE requirements for frontline NHS staff. Finally, asks about support for children dealing with alcoholism during lockdown.
Minister reply
Commits to looking into issues raised by the hon. Member regarding Leicester's exclusion from local authority funding lists for tackling vaccine hesitancy. Confirms that efforts are being made to drive up vaccination rates and keep the red list of countries up to date based on the presence of variants of concern. Reiterates availability of £500 financial support for those on low incomes who test positive but acknowledges challenges with self-isolation due to financial concerns. References guidance from the Business Department regarding air filtration systems and PPE requirements, as well as commitment to considering additional funding for organisations supporting children dealing with alcoholism during lockdown.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
Question
Supports new measures introduced by the Secretary of State and inquires about the central priority now being to bring down daily cases. Asks if enhanced contact tracing, including Japanese-style backward contact tracing and genomic sequencing for every new case, is planned.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the goal of bringing down daily cases as a factor determining the number of new variants. Confirms plans to genomically sequence every positive case once capacity allows but notes that it is not yet feasible due to current numbers.
Question
Questions why 35 countries with the South African and Brazilian variants are not on the quarantine red list, asking for clarification on whether there is a plan to address this gap. Asks how measures will ensure flow of goods while restricting non-essential travel.
Minister reply
Explains that measures relate specifically to passenger travel while acknowledging differences between the UK and other island nations regarding freight imports. Confirms that extra testing measures help in identifying variants of concern and keeping the red list under review.
Peter Gibson
Con
Darlington
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his announcement today. The people of Darlington and people right across the north-east have made incredible sacrifices to tackle this virus, and I know that they will welcome the tough measures that he has announced for those who seek to avoid quarantine. Does he agree that it is mass testing, vaccinations, following the rules and tough sanctions for those who break the rules that will help us to tackle this virus?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend that a combination of mass testing, vaccinations and tough enforcement is not only right to deal with this virus but, as he says, fair for people who are doing the right thing.
Stephen Doughty
Lab/Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Question
I simply do not understand the logic being used for the red list. Countries where dangerous variants are present are not included, and multiple back doors are left open... Will the Secretary of State publish the epidemiological data that is being used to take decisions about which countries are included, and urgently review some of the very serious inconsistencies?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman raises important points... We will keep it under review.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Question
Cases here in North Devon are now down to just 25 per 100,000. What reassurance can my right hon. Friend give me that when the time comes to unlock, the hard work of the people of North Devon will not be undone by an influx of visitors from either home or abroad with new variants? Are options being looked at for local unlocking to enable schools to reopen and some local businesses to restart, given the very low level of community transmission here?
Minister reply
I am delighted to see that there are some parts of the country where the case rate really has come down a long way—down to 25. It is important for us to make sure we get the levels down across the country... I wish I could say more in more detail to my hon. Friend, but it is for the Prime Minister to set that out later this month.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
Question
The news of the new mutation is obviously of great concern to the people of Bristol... Will the Secretary of State join me in thanking those local public health officials in Bristol and the people who have come forward? Will he join me in encouraging more people in those postcode areas that have been identified to come forward for surge testing to help us understand this virus better?
Minister reply
I agree with every word the hon. Lady has said... I thank the hon. Lady for her leadership.
Suzanne Webb
Con
Stourbridge
Question
I welcome today’s statement and I am very proud of all my constituents across Stourbridge, Cradley and Lye for the way in which they have fully understood and taken on board the fact that we all have our role to play in defeating this virus... Does my right hon. Friend agree that the constant flip-flopping and reliance on hindsight by the Labour party is nothing more than its seeking only to score political points, rather than reinforcing the Government’s message that we all have a part to play to defeat this virus?
Minister reply
What the public want to see, in Stourbridge and across the whole UK, is people working together to defeat this virus.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Question
I am grateful to all those working together—the GPs, Queen Mary University of London, the Royal London Hospital, Tower Hamlets Council, the London Muslim Centre and others—in my constituency... Will the Secretary of State commit to increasing the supply of vaccines to our GP surgeries, as they are saying that this is where they can make a big difference with vaccine take-up?
Minister reply
I want to praise the hon. Lady for the leadership she is showing locally in driving up those vaccination rates... I will make sure he gets in contact so that we can work together to reassure everybody that the vaccine is the right thing for you and the right thing for your community.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
I welcome the roll-out of the vaccine programme, which has been a great success... May I ask for a bit of clarity on the statement? He states: 'Under home quarantining, the existing test to release scheme can still be used from day five.' Does that mean that somebody can successfully test negative on day five and is then free to interact in the community for three days, but will still have to take another test at day eight and if they fail that test they will have to quarantine again? Secondly, how long is this likely to last for?
Minister reply
On the first point—the point of clarity—my hon. Friend has stated the position exactly correctly... These are the uncertainties within which we are operating.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Many of us have been urging the Government for about 12 months now to take stronger action at our borders, so the measures announced today are very welcome, but Ministers have been consistently slow on this issue. With the ONS estimating today that, tragically, covid deaths in the UK have now surpassed 125,000, how many of those deaths does the Secretary of State believe could have been prevented by imposing much stricter public health measures at our borders since last March?
Minister reply
We have had significant measures at the border throughout. The new, stronger measures are necessary because of the arrival around the world of new variants of concern at the same time as the vaccine roll-out is progressing successfully. We do not want the very successful vaccine roll-out to be undermined, so it is reasonable to take a precautionary approach to international travel now, while we assess the effectiveness of the vaccines.
Neil O'Brien
Con
Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Question
Given the incredible success of the UK vaccination programme, it would be terrible to put at risk our opening up by importing new variants like those seen in Brazil. Will my right hon. Friend stand ready to further tighten the measures at the border and the enforcement of quarantine, and does he agree that if we want to see rapid opening up, as we all do, we should be supporting strong measures at the border?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right, first, that we must keep the red list under review; and secondly, crucially, that strong protections at the border are part of defending and safely allowing the domestic opening up.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
May I put on record my thanks to the Secretary of State for all that he and his team are doing on this issue? Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom with a land border. As the Secretary of State is aware, the Republic of Ireland is enforcing the very apparent border in Northern Ireland, for its safety, on its side. It seems, as I said, that there can be a border when it suits. However, I am eager to understand what steps are being taken to ensure, as I highlighted last week, that officials and Government have access to pertinent travel information for those coming to Dublin, to ensure that the United Kingdom, on the Northern Ireland side, is also safe.
Minister reply
I spoke to my Irish opposite number, Minister Donnelly, this morning and he has assured me that that data will be provided appropriately and securely; we have been working together to ensure that that happens for some time.
Question
I am increasingly concerned about the effect of lockdown on the mental health of children; I am receiving so many emails from adolescents and teenagers. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that when he feeds into the 22 February road map, the mental health of children, and indeed their parents, is taken into account?
Minister reply
Yes, of course I will.
Question
Yesterday, the number of deaths from covid in Wales passed the grim total of 5,000. Our public health leaders say that the Welsh Government’s £500 self-isolation payment is not enough and is indeed an economic driver for people to go to work. Sick pay, on the other hand, is the responsibility of this Government, so will the Secretary of State now commit the Government to increasing the paltry level of sick pay, as suggested, from £96 per week, to enable working people to self-isolate safely?
Minister reply
We have put in place the extra £500 for those on low incomes to ensure that everybody can get the financial support that they may need while self-isolating.
Question
I commend my right hon. Friend on his statement. The Norfolk and Waveney clinical commissioning group, local NHS staff and volunteers are to be commended on rising to a challenge which on Sunday resulted in 1,000 people being vaccinated at Kirkley Mill in Lowestoft in very difficult weather conditions. There is a plan to significantly increase the number of daily vaccinations for more sites; so that this can be delivered can my right hon. Friend confirm that there will be a consistent and increased supply of vaccines and that the initial difficulties some have experienced with the national online booking system will be ironed out?
Minister reply
Yes, absolutely. I want to thank everybody across Norfolk and Waveney for the work they have been doing to roll out this vaccine.
Judith Cummins
Lab
Bradford South
Question
Despite assurances from the Secretary of State and Ministers, it is now clear that the newly imposed NHS dentistry targets are in fact actively undermining patient access to urgent treatment during the pandemic, as I warned they would. Last week, a whistleblower at the UK’s largest dental chain with over 600 practices, mydentist, sent me an internal memo that advised them to prioritise routine check-ups over treatments in order to meet the new targets. Will the Secretary of State look at this urgently and agree to revise these targets to ensure that they do not undermine patient care, as the system as it stands incentivises routine check-ups above those in severe pain?
Minister reply
I want to thank our nation’s dentists, who have worked incredibly hard to get dentistry services going again. It is very important that we support them and that the financial incentives underpin the need to restart as much as is possible.
Question
I support the introduction of targeted quarantine for passengers coming from high-risk covid-19 variant countries. Will my right hon. Friend also commit to regular reviews and even a sunset clause on these regulations, as we seek later in the year to get our economy restarted and support our aviation sector?
Minister reply
I do not underestimate the impact that all these measures have had on Gatwick. My hon. Friend represents so many of those who work at Gatwick, and I understand the impact.
Diane Abbott
Ind
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Question
The whole House has welcomed what the Secretary of State has had to say about the progress in fighting coronavirus, but he will be aware that there is a very real danger that one cohort will be left behind: black and ethnic minority communities. We already know that black people are four times more likely to die from coronavirus, and currently the statistics show that black over-80s are half as likely to be vaccinated as white people. I am conscious that the Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment is aware of this issue, but will the Secretary of State give the House an undertaking that he will drive forward a whole series of measures to increase vaccine take-up among black and minority ethnic persons? When black and minority ethnic people are on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus as health and social care workers, it would be a tragedy if there was an increased death toll because enough was not being done to encourage take-up of the vaccine.
Minister reply
I do not say this lightly, but I agree with every single word that the right hon. Lady said. I want to pay tribute to her, because I have not had the chance in the House to thank all the black MPs who took part in the incredibly moving video to persuade people, who may have understandable concerns, that taking the jab is the right thing to do.
Mark Harper
Con
Fittleworth
Question
Policies are often easy to announce and difficult to end. The chief scientific adviser says that covid is with us forever, and it will presumably continue to mutate into new variants forever. When is this policy going to end, if ever?
Minister reply
The risk of mutations can be managed through the evolution of vaccines similar to annual flu jabs. While necessary now, these measures cannot be permanent; we aim to replace them with a system of safe and free international travel over time.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South
Question
How will the Government address the cancer backlog? Will they increase resources available to the taskforce in the March Budget?
Minister reply
Significant extra funding was announced in the spending review. Cancer services have been working hard during the second wave, and as the number of covid patients decreases, efforts will focus on tackling the backlog.
William Wragg
Con
Hazel Grove
Question
Is it now the Government’s intention to use the level of virus in circulation—the number of cases in the population—to determine when to ease lockdown?
Minister reply
No. The Prime Minister has set out four conditions that need to be met, and he will say more about that on 22 February.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
What discussions are taking place with the World Health Organisation to ensure we keep track of new variants as much as possible?
Minister reply
We have established a new variant assessment platform, work closely with WHO on updating their library of variants, and test every international traveller to gather sequences from around the world.
Aaron Bell
Con
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Question
Could my right hon. Friend set out what steps he is taking to allow new varieties of vaccines to be developed as quickly as possible?
Minister reply
We do not rule out challenge studies and work with Oxford University on such approaches while maintaining high safety standards. The MHRA continues to speed up processes where appropriate.
Barnsley South
Question
What are the Government doing to enforce legislation and make the public aware of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Minister reply
The work on high-quality ventilation, which is good for tackling carbon monoxide poisoning and reducing the risk of spread of covid.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Question
Has the Secretary of State given any consideration to mass testing in north Northamptonshire?
Minister reply
I am aware of and worried about high infection rates there. I will take the idea away, work on it with colleagues and return with a proposal.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Question
When does the Secretary of State expect JCVI to have enough data to develop a vaccine-protective strategy for immunosuppressed individuals?
Minister reply
Work is under way. The deputy chief medical officer will write to set out precise clinical details.
Heather Wheeler
Con
South Derbyshire
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. As I have so many constituents who work in the aviation industry, this is important information. I am thankful for the now ramped up provision of vaccine centres in South Derbyshire, but how will he ensure that housebound residents receive their jab? There seem to be gaps in communications between primary care networks, district health services and GP surgeries, leaving my constituents unsure.
Minister reply
I will look into the specifics of the situation in South Derbyshire and ask the Minister for Vaccine Deployment, the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Nadhim Zahawi), to call my hon. Friend to try to understand precisely the situation in her area. It is absolutely the responsibility of PCNs to deliver vaccines to the housebound. That is working in most parts of the country.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North East Fife
Question
New border restrictions to safeguard us from covid will mean a reduction in the amount of travel into the UK, which will of course cause further harm to aviation and travel firms. Will the Secretary of State update us on progress and give us more details about the ongoing Cabinet discussions regarding specific support for aviation and travel firms in the light of these additional measures?
Minister reply
Yes; we do not underestimate the impact of these measures on the travel and aviation industries. My right hon. Friend the Transport Secretary is leading the discussions, as he has done throughout, because it is incredibly important that people get the right level of support.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
In Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke I have seen at first hand, while volunteering at the mass vaccination centre in Tunstall, the incredible effort of our local NHS heroes in getting jabs into the arms of up to 1,000 people each day. This is important, as the Royal Stoke University Hospital has been under tremendous pressure in critical care, dealing with capacity 220% above its usual averages. Will my right hon. Friend thank the local health and care heroes across Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke, and assure us that we will get increased vaccine doses as the supply increases?
Minister reply
Yes, absolutely. The effort in Stoke has been absolutely magnificent. I follow it particularly closely because every time I come to this Chamber—it is normally at least once a week—I am grilled by a colleague from Stoke about performance in Stoke.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
Given the evidence that some of the new variants of covid are much more transmissible, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association have raised concerns about whether current PPE guidance is adequate. It has been reported that some hospitals are offering staff high-grade PPE, for example FFP3 masks, while others are not, which means unequal levels of protection depending on where staff work. Can the Secretary of State tell us whether the NHS has reviewed the guidance about the standard of PPE to be provided to all staff when treating covid-19 pathway medium and high-risk patients?
Minister reply
Yes, I asked for specific advice on this when we saw the increased transmissibility of the B117 strain—the so-called Kent variant. Exactly this question was reviewed. As the right hon. Gentleman would expect of me, I follow clinical advice on PPE guidance and the clinical advice remains unchanged.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for coming to the House with his statement today. Will he join me in congratulating the Henfield heroes at Henfield Medical Centre? They have already vaccinated more than 1,000 patients, who very much appreciated not having to travel 40 miles to the previous clinic in Storrington. I am grateful that artificial limits on the number of centres per primary care network have been relaxed in rural areas.
Minister reply
I pay tribute to everybody at the Henfield Medical Centre doing this incredible work. It is really uplifting being in a health centre. If Members have not been to a vaccination centre as a Member of this House, I would highly recommend it because it is such an uplifting experience.
Question
The maximum sentence for a person lying on their locator form will be 10 years in prison. What will the minimum sanction be for that offence? The cost of the hotel, including testing and transport, will be £750 for 10 days. Can the Secretary of State give the House an absolute assurance that that represents good value for money to passengers and that there is no undue profiteering?
Minister reply
Yes, absolutely. One of the things that we have been doing in our discussions with hotel groups and others is ensuring value for money as much as possible for passengers. Hence we have managed to get the costs down to £1,750 for an individual traveller in a room alone.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
Will the Secretary of State maintain his war aim of protecting the NHS and eschew those siren voices calling for a desired level of infection in the community? If we depart from a level of hospitalisation with which the NHS can cope effectively, we will lose the proper sense of urgency to lift restrictions that are so devastating and costly to us all.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is right to raise the issue of the level of hospitalisations as one of the key factors and conditions for exit, as set out by the Prime Minister. The good news is that the number of people in hospital with covid is now falling.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Yesterday, the Home Secretary told me in Parliament that 100% compliance checks were now taking place at the border. Yet one passenger arriving at Heathrow yesterday from South Africa via Qatar has reported having no checks on her forms or tests and being just sent on her way through passport e-gates. This is a problem that I raised with the Prime Minister almost a month ago. Travellers have reported throughout that the reality is not matching the Government’s rhetoric, so why, when this is so important, does it appear that the most basic checks are still not happening?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary is looking into this individual case. The measures that we announced today further strengthen the enforcement to make sure that the rules that are currently in place are enforced more strongly.
Question
May I say a huge thank you to everyone on the frontline working hard on the vaccine roll-out in Bridgend and Porthcawl? When it comes to dealing with the transmission of the South African variant, could my right hon. Friend set out what steps he is taking on surge testing so that we can gather more information and effectively monitor any further community transmission?
Minister reply
Yes. When we see the community transmission of a variant of concern, we send in extra testing, and sequence all the positives to try to find any other variant of concern nearby.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Question
Vaccine hesitancy is highest among black, Asian and minority ethnic residents, and tackling it is vital to stop the existing covid-19 health inequalities widening and deepening further. My constituency has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the country yet neither of my local councils, Lambeth and Southwark, was included on the seemingly arbitrary list of councils invited to bid for additional funding to address vaccine hesitancy. Can the Secretary of State explain why, and will he commit to working with the Communities Secretary to look again urgently at that decision?
Minister reply
It is the Minister for the vaccine roll-out, my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon, who is leading those efforts. It is obviously an incredibly important subject, because it matters to us all.
Question
The Secretary of State said earlier that the virus treats us all the same, which is of course quite right. Sadly, it does not go easy on those who do not take up the offer of a vaccine, so can I ask my right hon. Friend what his thinking will be if, despite all the excellent work going on to support the vaccine hesitant, and there is lots of it, we have fellow citizens not protected? Will he confirm that such a personal decision cannot impact on the ultimate release of our society and our economy?
Minister reply
We are not proposing to mandate vaccination, partly for the reasons that my hon. Friend sets out. Anyway, vaccine take-up has been really very high—much higher than expected—which is terrific.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Question
To date, Government communication with the 2.2 million people who have been shielding on and off for almost a year has been poor. Will it be safe to stop shielding after they have received their second dose of the vaccine?
Minister reply
We write regularly to those who are shielding and we write to them individually, so I am not going to make a blanket announcement in the Chamber. We will communicate carefully and individually with people who are on the shielded patient list.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Question
Will he fund local authorities to reach out to those who may be reluctant to get their vaccine due to uncertain immigration status?
Minister reply
Yes. We are working with GPs, the NHS, and local authorities to do this, and the Home Office has stated that the most important thing is that we vaccinate everybody who is present here.
Question
How will new asylum seekers be supported in the quarantine process?
Minister reply
A new arrival to the UK from a red-list country who is not a resident of the United Kingdom or Ireland or a UK citizen will be denied entry and held in hotel quarantine.
Question
Will my right hon. Friend join me in encouraging everyone in Stoke-on-Trent to get their jab before 15 February?
Minister reply
Yes, Stoke-on-Trent has been ably and effectively represented in this discussion, and everybody across Stoke deserves praise for the work that they are doing to drive up the vaccination rate.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Is there anything the Secretary of State can do to ensure that we get more vaccines locally by this weekend?
Minister reply
I am not aware of any issues regarding vaccine supply in Wales or England, but it is a matter for the Welsh Government if they are going to close vaccination centres.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
Why did we not do what Australia and New Zealand did over a year ago?
Minister reply
I have been talking to my Australian counterparts about the approach that they take. Once cases are down through measures now, and then the vaccine to keep them down, a tough borders policy can help to keep us free domestically.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
Does the Secretary of State believe that the Government are following their own guidance in making over 2,000 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency workers physically attend the workplace for non-essential work processing provisional licence applications?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend the Transport Secretary has looked into the issue about DVLA that the hon. Lady raises, and Public Health Wales has been involved in advising DVLA.
Question
Could he allay my concern that our efforts might be better spent on ensuring effective home quarantine for all rather than setting up a hotel regime?
Minister reply
The rigour and the security of both home quarantine and hotel quarantine are important. It is a matter of the degree of risk, and that is why we have attempted to strike the balance that we have.
Question
What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that all long-term in-patients get the vaccine at the same time as they would if they were an out-patient?
Minister reply
Yes, that is exactly the principle on which we are proceeding. It is very important that we make sure that there is equal and fair support for all according to clinical need.
Question
What has the take-up rate been among those under the age of 70 who have been offered it so far? What conversations has he had with the vaccine Minister about dispelling myths about fertility?
Minister reply
There is no evidence at all that the vaccine negatively affects fertility. We try to tackle such myths by putting out as much positive, accurate, objective information from objective sources as possible.
Question
What exactly is the Secretary of State’s exit strategy from this quarantine policy? Is he planning airport testing, GPS tracking and covid passports?
Minister reply
I refer to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend. Absolutely, testing is a very important part of this.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Question
I know that my right hon. Friend is committed to securing our borders. Will he therefore consider commissioning and funding airlines and airports directly to run these new Department of Health and Social Care passenger and border restrictions? Airlines and airports such as BA and Heathrow have the experience, market innovation and incentive to deliver safe travel for Britain.
Minister reply
That is exactly our goal, and we have been working very hard with the carriers and airport operators to put this new scheme in place. There is further work to do in the days ahead, and no doubt after its initial introduction on Monday.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Question
Last week, the London director of Public Health England, Professor Kevin Fenton, said that London’s Asian communities have been the hardest hit by the covid-19 second wave. It is being felt deeply in my constituency, and I pay tribute to those on the frontline in my constituency who have been helping to drive up the vaccine uptake, and those serving in our mortuary and funeral services. I am sure the Secretary of State agrees that the Government need to learn quickly from the impact of the first and second waves on minority communities, but that must be informed by evidence, especially to ensure the effectiveness of any strategy to deal with vaccine hesitancy. Will he and his colleagues ensure that data about the vaccine roll-out and mortalities in the second wave is published regularly in a meaningful format and disaggregated by ethnicity?
Minister reply
The answer is yes.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
The jury is still out on whether every vaccine can eliminate every covid variant, but we know that vitamin D builds immunity to all viruses. The Secretary of State promises a four-month free supply for the vulnerable, but how come nobody has heard of it? Will he commit to widely advertising it and its benefit to all Brits?
Minister reply
Yes, indeed I have, and I have written to more than a million people about the availability of vitamin D.
Question
The ministerial team and our NHS have done a phenomenal job of vaccinating our most vulnerable and our frontline health and social care workers, but my right hon. Friend—
Minister reply
Yes, I will. My hon. Friend rightly raises a very important subject. I will make sure that that is properly taken into account.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. There will be significant concern among the population of Northern Ireland that entering into the UK could continue through Dublin, putting people in my constituency at additional risk of new variants. Does the Secretary of State agree that this is not behaviour becoming of a good neighbour? In fact, it is quite shameful and irresponsible for the Government of the Irish Republic to refuse to share arrivals data with the UK. Furthermore, if this continues, does he agree that the hard border currently being enforced by the Irish Republic, restricting travel from north to south, will have to be enforced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to stop entrance into Northern Ireland from across the border, to protect the UK?
Minister reply
No, I do not agree with the hon. Lady. I reassure every one of her constituents and all citizens across Northern Ireland that we work closely with the Government in Dublin to ensure that data is shared properly and that both Governments have an appropriate system to safeguard our borders against the challenges that we face while allowing free travel within the common travel area.
Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s commitment to making a contribution to the roadmap on 22 February on the understanding of the impact on mental health of children and families. Will he commit to publish that in advance, to make sure that parents know that all of their concerns are being addressed and that they have an opportunity to make a contribution to it?
Minister reply
I will look into my hon. Friend’s suggestion.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Question
The head of the Government’s own test and trace system admitted that up to 20,000 people per day who are asked to self-isolate are not doing so. Will the Secretary of State please confirm, after 10 months of being asked for it, when he will come up with a plan to fix the isolation system, so that those who need to self-isolate have the pastoral and financial support they need to do so?
Minister reply
We have put in place that support, including £500 for all those on low incomes. Everybody who is asked to self-isolate needs to self-isolate to break the chains of transmission.
Question
What lessons can we learn from Israel which, uniquely, is ahead of us in this race to protect its people? For example, when we reach group 10—under-50s who have not already been injected—should we prioritise those who have not been exposed to the disease and who are not bursting with antibodies, so that we actually protect more people? Incidentally, the Israelis are also injecting 16 and 17-year-olds. Are there any lessons to be learned from that?
Minister reply
I talk to my Israeli counterpart regularly, and I am impressed by the effort that Israel has delivered on to vaccinate its population. I am very happy to look into the detailed points that my right hon. Friend raises.
Question
Projections show that some countries in the global south will have to wait until 2023 to achieve widespread vaccination because pharmaceutical monopolies are creating artificial restrictions. Given that no one is safe until everyone is safe, will the Secretary of State use his influence with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the Government change their position and back proposals from India and South Africa to address pharmaceutical monopolies and help ensure that the world can produce enough vaccines for every country as soon as possible?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady would get a better hearing if she started on this subject by congratulating AstraZeneca, the British player in this vaccine race, on the fact that it is rolling out its jab with no profit at all.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
For phase 2, will the Health Secretary commit to having mental health workers at national vaccine sites?
Minister reply
I will absolutely look into the suggestion that my hon. Friend makes, which is all about making sure that we reach out to people at a moment when everybody, or almost everybody, is going through a process together—and I hope it is everybody.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The shadow response raises concerns about vaccine hesitancy among minority ethnic communities, questioning the Government's plan and requesting more comprehensive quarantine controls at borders. The shadow also questions the effectiveness of Test and Trace and highlights financial difficulties faced by individuals who cannot work from home due to positive tests, resulting in high rejection rates for financial support. He further suggests installing air filtration systems in public buildings and updating guidance on face masks and PPE requirements. The shadow concludes with a call for more support during Children of Alcoholics Week.
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