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Covid-19 Update
14 June 2021
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 37
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
Government Statement
Mr Speaker, in the past six months, the UK has raced against the virus through its vaccination programme. Over 71 million doses have been administered to over 41 million people, with over 93% of those aged 40 and above having received at least one dose. The programme's success allowed for easing restrictions but due to the rise in cases caused by the delta variant, further steps are paused until July 19th. Hospitalisations have risen by 50%, despite case numbers increasing by 64%. However, two doses of the vaccine remain highly effective against hospitalisation even with the new variant. The minister called for everyone to get both jabs and announced reducing the interval from first to second dose from 12 weeks to eight weeks for those over 40. Restrictions will be eased in some areas while further support is provided for affected regions.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Question
The MP questioned the decision to delay Step 4 of the roadmap, asking whether the Government would have taken a different approach if the delta variant had not emerged in India.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock responded that it is impossible to predict what might have happened without the emergence of the delta variant but noted that it is crucial to ensure people get both doses and to secure the NHS's capacity.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith
Question
The MP expressed disappointment in the delay and asked for assurance that the Government would act swiftly if hospitalisations rose again.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock assured that further action will be taken to protect lives and stated that it is essential to ensure a robust vaccination programme, adding that they are doing everything possible to keep people safe.
Kwasi Kwarteng
Con
Spelthorne
Question
The MP asked if there were any plans for the private sector to contribute in reducing transmission.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock replied that businesses are already making significant contributions and reiterated the importance of encouraging people to get both doses.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay
Question
The MP inquired about the impact on local economies, particularly with regards to weddings.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock clarified that restrictions on weddings have been eased and thanked the wedding taskforce for their work.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Leicester South
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. I congratulate Sir Richard Sykes on his new role and I thank Dame Kate Bingham... (full question omitted for brevity)
Minister reply
I think that in that response, we saw a lifting of the veil on the Opposition’s position. The right hon. Gentleman knows that he has supported the Government’s position for a very large part of the crisis... (full answer omitted for brevity)
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Waverley
Question
May I start by saying that I totally agree with your expression of disappointment, Mr Speaker, that in a parliamentary democracy Parliament heard about this news after the media... (full question omitted for brevity)
Minister reply
The goal is that the steps in the road map are irreversible; that is the goal, and I am sure it is a goal that my right hon. Friend agrees with. We have demonstrated repeatedly during this crisis our willingness to take difficult decisions if they are necessary and if they are needed by the data... (full answer omitted for brevity)
Central Ayrshire
Question
While hospitalisations and ICU admissions are, thankfully, not increasing as fast as covid cases, they are both rising significantly, so this delay was inevitable... (full question omitted for brevity)
Minister reply
I thought that the right hon. Member for Leicester South (Jonathan Ashworth) on the Opposition Front Bench was Captain Hindsight, but, seriously, this argument is completely divorced from reality... (full answer omitted for brevity)
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Virtually everybody in the most vulnerable category, which made up 95% of hospitalisations and deaths, is protected by both jabs, the vaccines work against all variants thus far... (full question omitted for brevity)
Minister reply
Our goal is that, by 19 July, two thirds of adults—around two thirds—will be double vaccinated. The data published today shows that the protection from transmission of this disease from a single jab is quite a lot lower for the delta variant... (full answer omitted for brevity)
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Asked about the delay in designating the delta variant as a variant of concern and questioned the impact this delay might have had on its spread.
Minister reply
Responded that action was taken before it was officially designated, indicating that he acted based on his assessment of data from India. He also noted that he has initiated a review of the process for designating variants.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
Expressed gratitude for the progress made in vaccinating people and saving summer for vital sectors such as weddings, but asked about support for motorsport events.
Minister reply
Stated that he works closely with the Culture Secretary to ensure pilots can go ahead. Mentioned that full capacity at Wembley is a positive step towards allowing other large-scale events.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Asked for consideration of those getting married in July and August due to delays, suggesting the formation of a working group of experts.
Minister reply
Responded positively to the idea, noting that work has been done on covid-secure ways to open up weddings. Offered to discuss further with the Northern Ireland Health Minister.
Question
Asked if it is possible to maintain a low prevalence of the virus and about bringing back restrictions in autumn/winter.
Minister reply
Stated that while an increase may occur due to seasonality, it is not inevitable with the booster programme. Emphasised that the goal is to learn to live with the virus rather than aim for eradication.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Question
Asked about extra support for businesses given the uncertainty due to extended restrictions.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the impact on businesses and noted that extensive financial support has been provided. Mentioned that support such as furlough continues until September.
Question
Asked about hospital stays for patients with covid-19 and requested data breakdowns.
Minister reply
Agreed to seek the publication of data. Noted that average length of stay has fallen from 10 days to eight days due partly to treatments and vaccinations.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
Critiqued the decision not to put India on the red list, citing potential costs for local businesses.
Minister reply
Responded that decisions cannot be made without complete data. Suggested that it was impossible at the time to take such a step.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
Asked about ruling out a regional approach for easing restrictions.
Minister reply
Noted that they have taken a national approach recently but acknowledged the preference for local approaches in Keighley, stating it has been more effective.
Tony Lloyd
Lab
Manchester Central
Question
Why do we not have surge vaccination in areas with high rates of infection, such as Greater Manchester?
Minister reply
Supply limitations prevent a full surge vaccination programme. However, the government is increasing testing and providing extra support to hard-to-reach groups in affected areas.
Pauline Latham
Con
Mid Derbyshire
Question
Can weddings proceed without restrictions given that social distancing rules are being reinstated?
Minister reply
Due to the rising virus rate, social distancing remains necessary. The decision not to exempt weddings was difficult but fair and practical.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Question
Why is there a lack of Pfizer doses for surge vaccination in hotspots like Salford?
Minister reply
Supply limitations remain the biggest challenge to increasing vaccine distribution.
Bob Neill
Con
Croydon North
Question
Is it just and fair to extend business closures without extending financial support for those businesses?
Minister reply
The financial impact on businesses is acknowledged, but the decision aims at saving lives by protecting against severe illness and death.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Question
What measures will be taken to address disparities in vaccination rates between wealthy and poor areas?
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for continued efforts, including working with local leaders to enhance testing and vaccine distribution.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Question
What conditions must be met before full freedom from restrictions can be achieved?
Minister reply
The goal is to remove all pandemic-related restrictions, but this depends on vaccination progress and public safety.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Question
How will the Test and Trace app be improved to prevent unnecessary disruption in high infection areas?
Minister reply
The government is exploring more targeted approaches, such as clinical testing for contacts rather than mandatory isolation.
Liam Fox
Con
Wealden
Question
Will my right hon. Friend advise us about the demographics of those he believes are likely to be hospitalised? The Pfizer vaccine is 94% effective against hospital admission after one dose and 96% effective after two, while the AstraZeneca vaccine is 71% effective against hospitalisation with one dose and 92% effective after two. Who would be hospitalised to the extent that the NHS would be swamped? Will he promise us that our country will not be locked down because some individuals who could be immunised choose not to be?
Minister reply
The take-up rates are very high, with only a small proportion of people choosing not to get vaccinated. The average age of those hospitalised has fallen since the vaccination programme started, likely due to older cohorts being vaccinated first.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
Given the evidence that women who contract covid during their pregnancies are twice as likely to experience a stillbirth or a premature birth, will the Secretary of State now rethink the decision not to prioritise such patients for the vaccine?
Minister reply
We have opened up vaccination to all those aged 23 and over; thus, questions of prioritisation will be less relevant. Pregnant women should discuss vaccination with their clinician as soon as they are eligible.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
Question
Will the Secretary of State tell the country his assessment of risk and personal responsibility, and whether he feels that as a country we remotely have that right at this time?
Minister reply
In a pandemic, the state's duty is to prevent harm by individuals to others. Once everyone can get vaccinated, we will move towards a world based on personal responsibility.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Why was India not placed on the red list earlier despite warnings from other countries about high levels of covid cases arriving from there?
Minister reply
The data we had at the time was used to make decisions; it is only a way to make a point if one does not care about the truth of what actually happened.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
What reassurance can my right hon. Friend give businesses that this delay to full step 4 is really the last delay?
Minister reply
I understand the point about restrictions impacting businesses, especially those in rent arrears. I am happy to meet with the Communities Secretary to discuss how we can support such businesses.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Question
Why was India included on the travel red list a full two weeks after countries with much lower rates of infection, immediately after the Prime Minister's visit to India was cancelled?
Minister reply
The decision was based on test positivity data for travellers returning from those countries. I do not support removing Pakistan and Bangladesh from the red list and putting them on the amber list.
Thurrock
Question
My right hon. Friend will understand my dismay because, as we have discussed between ourselves, economic harm and the sustainability of businesses is a real concern of mine. The cruise industry has been closed for international sailing for more than 15 months; it needs its own road map to embark on international travel again.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point about the impact on business, especially on international cruises. I am glad we were able to work with the cruise industry to get some domestic cruise trips going again and will be happy to work further with her.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
Question
Does the Secretary of State feel any shame that the reason we need to delay the easing of restrictions is entirely down to the incompetence of his Government—not only the three-week delay in putting India on the red list, but the utter failure to suppress the virus through basic infection control, tracing and effective isolation? This is the fourth time the Government have let the virus spread. That might be great news for Serco, whose profits are up today, but it is a disaster for everyone else.
Minister reply
No, I do not agree with most of that. In particular, I think the hon. Lady and the whole House should welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that we will be ensuring that when we have excess supplies —I stress when we have excess supplies—we will donate 100 million doses around the world.
Aaron Bell
Con
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Question
My constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme have done everything we have asked of them during this pandemic. They have stayed at home and protected the NHS, and then they went out and got vaccinated in huge numbers, so any sense that these restrictions are to protect those who chose not to get vaccinated will be seen by them and me as deeply unfair. Will the Secretary of State set out what assessment he or his scientific advisers have made of the extent to which these restrictions are required to protect those who chose not to get protected?
Minister reply
This change is emphatically not for the purpose of protecting those who have chosen not to get vaccinated. It is emphatically to ensure that we have the time to offer the jab—both first jabs to all adults and second jabs for those who have had their first.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Question
The Secretary of State will know that the hospitality and tourism industry has probably been hit more than any other part of our economy throughout this period. One of the challenges at the moment is that the ongoing restrictions mean that hospitality and tourism businesses need more staff than normal in order to cater for fewer customers than normal. Is he aware that the biggest single issue raised with me by hospitality and tourism industry bosses in the lakes and the dales is a lack of staff? This lack of staff is largely caused by the Government’s new visa rules. Would he agree to get his Immigration Minister friend to sit down with me and, more importantly, hospitality and tourism leaders from Cumbria and other rural areas—and other parts of the country involved in tourism—to discuss an emergency way of getting that vital boost to our hospitality and tourism industry just now?
Minister reply
I am happy to raise that for the hon. Gentleman.
Greg Clark
Lab
Islington North
Question
Young people have made big sacrifices during the pandemic and seen two years of their lives disrupted. Many students and school leavers will be leaving school and university between now and 19 July, so will the Secretary of State confirm that what he said in his statement about removing the 30-person limit on commemorative events will include graduation ceremonies and school-leaving parties in commercial venues? After all, school students in particular have been educated in bubbles with each other for months now, and it would add insult to injury if they were to be denied an opportunity to say farewell to each other.
Minister reply
I will ensure that the precise Cabinet Office guidance reaches my right hon. Friend’s mobile phone as soon as possible.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Question
I am sure, Mr Speaker, that the Secretary of State for Health heard what you said at the beginning of this statement. May I ask the Secretary of State how we got ourselves into this position? He has been very good at coming to the House and making statements on covid, but on the biggest, most important day, the press were given an embargoed statement at 3 o’clock and the Prime Minister had a big showy press conference at 6, yet he could not be bothered to turn up until 8.30. This is a clear breach of the ministerial code. How did it happen? Who thought it was a good idea, and who actually broke the ministerial code?
Minister reply
All I can say, Mr Speaker, is that I am here now answering questions and I am happy to stay for as long as you need me.
North Cotswolds
Question
Mr Speaker, this is an unexpected surprise, and I am sure it is for the Secretary of State as well. I am sure that he will be interested in my question. Ultimately, these decisions are a matter of judgment. Can he publish that data on the risk to the health service and the risk to individuals of death, as opposed to those on the social harm and the harm to businesses? Can he therefore tell us why this judgment has been made?
Minister reply
The best thing that I can point my hon. Friend to is the slides that were presented by the chief medical officer today.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary of State thanked the Minister for his statement and acknowledged Sir Richard Sykes' appointment but criticised the Government's handling of the delta variant. He highlighted the failure to secure borders in April when India was not on the red list, leading to the spread of the virus. The Labour MP questioned why mandatory mask-wearing is abandoned despite the evidence suggesting its efficacy against transmission. Additionally, he pointed out that people are inadequately compensated for isolation and asked about plans to lower infection rates while extending vaccination coverage in hotspot areas.
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