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Covid-19 Update
07 June 2021
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSForeign AffairsStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 35
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 Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matthew Hancock, updated the House on the progress made in the UK's vaccination programme against COVID-19. As of today, over 40 million people have been vaccinated in the UK with around 76% of adults receiving at least one dose and 52% fully vaccinated. The delta variant, first identified in India, is now dominant across the country, making it imperative to maintain vaccination efforts, especially for younger age groups. From this week, vaccinations will be offered to people aged 25-29, bringing us closer to offering vaccines to all adults by late July. The statement highlighted that despite the rise in cases due to the delta variant, hospitalisations have remained stable, with unvaccinated individuals accounting for most of these admissions. This underscores the importance of both doses and timely vaccinations. Hancock also confirmed plans to vaccinate children aged 12-15 and discussed international efforts, including commitments at the G7 summit in Cornwall to accelerate global vaccine distribution.
Bob Russell
Con
Colchester
Question
Does Hancock believe the Government should provide a clear and definitive timeline for the full reopening of all social distancing rules?
Minister reply
Hancock emphasised that decision-making will be data-driven rather than adhering to specific dates. The government needs four weeks between steps on the roadmap and another week before announcing changes, which means the next update will come a week from now.
Sarah Wollaston
Con
Totnes
Question
With the delta variant becoming dominant, does Hancock agree that it's crucial to prioritise second doses for those most at risk rather than continuing with mass vaccinations?
Minister reply
Hancock acknowledged the importance of second doses but insisted on maintaining mass vaccination efforts. He assured the House that sufficient supplies are available and that all adults will have access to both doses by late July, emphasising that the programme remains robust.
Easington
Question
How will Hancock ensure rapid vaccine uptake in areas with high delta variant prevalence and lower vaccination rates?
Minister reply
Hancock committed to expanding surge testing and other measures to control the virus's spread, especially in areas like Bolton where case numbers have stabilised. He reaffirmed the government’s focus on reaching out to all eligible individuals, particularly those yet to receive their first dose.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
Raises questions on reducing transmission among children, JCVI's advice on children’s vaccination, and the use of patient data. Expresses concern over the transfer of sensitive personal data to NHS Digital.
Minister reply
Emphasises the importance of testing in schools to reduce transmission, states that JCVI is working on children’s vaccination advice which will be presented to the House soon, and highlights the importance of using data for research and improving patient care. Affirms that data belongs to patients and stresses the need for privacy while promoting its use.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
Question
Asks about potential extension of restrictions for more vaccinations or a permanent slowing down of easing, and inquires about flexibility in quarantine rules for parents of disabled children.
Minister reply
States that the debate is still ongoing regarding restrictions and emphasises the need for everyone to get vaccinated. Offers to look into how Laura Wilde's case can fit with existing exemptions for medical travel.
Central Ayrshire
Question
The MP questioned the Secretary of State's decision to end all social distancing measures on June 21 despite rising cases and variants, criticised delays in adding India to the red list, and called for stricter border quarantine policies. She also asked about vaccine donations to COVAX.
Minister reply
Hancock defended his decisions as based on scientific advice and data analysis. He noted that Scotland is also reopening and questioned the consistency of criticism from SNP MPs. Hancock emphasised the UK's role in international vaccination efforts, including providing 500 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine globally. Regarding intellectual property rights, he stated that support for IP rights is essential for drug development but highlighted early agreements with Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer on not charging for IP in low-income countries.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
Merriman asked about the process of travel restrictions, including the green watch list, scientific advice on Portugal's classification changes, and WHO recognition of Nepal delta mutation. He also inquired about milestones for unlocking international travel.
Minister reply
Hancock confirmed that decisions were based on JBC’s scientific advice regarding new variants like delta AW. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing risks from new variants with economic recovery goals, noting that the current dominant variant remains manageable due to vaccine effectiveness post two doses.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Wilson expressed concern about public trust in the data collection programme and requested a pause for better communication.
Minister reply
Hancock stated that data use is crucial for managing crises like the pandemic. He acknowledged the importance of trust but highlighted increased enthusiasm among NHS staff for better data usage, especially in the vaccine roll-out success.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Blackman congratulated efforts in Harrow including surge testing and vaccinations and asked for further pop-up clinics.
Minister reply
Hancock praised the Harrow team’s efforts, noting successful outcomes from similar initiatives elsewhere. He emphasised the effectiveness of PCR tests at home in controlling cases.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Shannon asked about cooperation and data sharing with devolved administrations concerning the Indian variant cases.
Minister reply
Hancock confirmed regular collaboration across UK health ministers to tackle the delta variant, emphasising a united approach.
Question
Villiers sought confirmation that no final decisions were made on June 21 and hoped for reopening events like weddings.
Minister reply
Hancock confirmed that decisions remain pending based on upcoming data analysis, maintaining the policy openness towards potential delays.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
Asks about additional freedoms for those who have been doubly vaccinated and whether the Government should consider giving them more rights as they are less likely to be hospitalised.
Minister reply
Responds by stating that while Israel had previously implemented a system where double-vaccinated individuals could get certain freedoms, it has since removed this policy. He notes that in Britain, everyone is treated equally.
Question
Welcomes the opening up of appointments for 25-year-olds and asks about any possible delay to stage four of the road map.
Minister reply
Answers by clarifying that the decision on lifting restrictions will be made based on data available closer to the deadline. He states that living with covid involves managing it through science, including vaccinations in the future.
Question
Asks why further lifting of restrictions on June 21st is not being ruled out and suggests reversing the decision to end mask-wearing in classrooms.
Minister reply
Responds by stating that decisions will be made based on current data, rather than ruling things out two weeks ahead.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
Comments on NHS's publication of a 'woke alphabet' which he deems nonsensical and divisive.
Minister reply
Agrees with his hon. Friend that the vast majority of NHS staff are focused on keeping people healthy rather than engaging in such activities.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
Asks for a guarantee to properly protect care homes during subsequent surges and an apology for past failings.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the loss of loved ones in care homes but states that community transmission was identified as the major source of virus incursion. He mentions improvements in testing.
Question
Asks if progress can continue on June 21st given low hospitalisation rates and high vaccination effort.
Minister reply
Says they will look at the evidence but proceed cautiously to ensure it remains irreversible.
Question
Critiques the Government's approach to public health compared to immigration borders, suggesting quarantine for all travellers and protection for travel industry.
Minister reply
Responds by highlighting the strong travel regime including testing and home visits, based on risk.
Question
Acknowledges progress in vaccination programme and asks about potential green list status for Malta.
Minister reply
States that decisions are made considering pros and cons of each case presented to Ministers.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Asks about support measures for those developing long-term consequences from the latest wave of the delta variant.
Minister reply
Responds by expressing a desire to work closely with the hon. Gentleman who has personal experience of long covid, and encourages engagement with NHS on this.
Question
Asks if lateral flow tests can substitute for PCR tests to reduce costs for international travellers.
Minister reply
Responds by stating that genetic sequences are necessary from PCR tests, but efforts have been made to drive down the cost of these tests through private markets.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
The Royal College of General Practitioners, the Doctors’ Association UK and the British Medical Association have all expressed concern about the adequacy of communication with patients regarding data sharing. Can the Secretary of State tell the House what his Department is doing to assess patient awareness?
Minister reply
We are working in this area and talking to relevant bodies. The majority of people, including the BMA, can see the benefit of using data better in the NHS because it saves lives.
Mark Harper
Con
Question
Can the Secretary of State set out his and the Department’s current understanding about vaccine efficacy on reducing serious disease and hospitalisation?
Minister reply
The first dose is significantly more effective than 30% in reducing serious disease and death. The precise figures will be set out tomorrow at Health questions.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Does the Secretary of State understand the frustration people have at changing messages regarding restrictions, travel advice, and other measures?
Minister reply
Of course I do. The pandemic is hard to manage, but we try to communicate fully and frankly based on evidence available.
William Wragg
Con
Question
Will the Secretary of State commit to reducing the time between first and second jabs and securing greater supply?
Minister reply
A longer gap gives better overall long-term protection, but we want to go as fast as clinically safe. We need all those delivering vaccines for this.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Question
What is the Government’s approach on travel overseas considering the high number of vaccinated people?
Minister reply
We take a cautious approach to prevent new variants. We have a traffic-light system for countries based on safety.
Graham Brady
Con
Question
Will youth groups be able to run residential summer camps under the rule of 30 after 21 June?
Minister reply
Yes, as part of step 4. He has made his point clearly.
South Shields
Question
Why should we trust this Government’s judgment given past guidance on hospital discharges and the care home crisis?
Minister reply
All policy was set out in public. Decisions were based on limited tests, asymptomatic transmission likelihood, and clinical advice.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Question
How many more hospital beds are available now than in March last year?
Minister reply
The main capacity built was the Nightingales project, a rapid action to treat people who otherwise might not have had treatment.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Given confusion about border policies, is it time for the Secretary of State to publish data and advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre?
Minister reply
The right hon. Lady continues to imply decisions should be based on data that was not yet available.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
The statistical snapshot that my right hon. Friend gave in his statement showed that just over 2% of people hospitalised with the Indian variant had had both jabs. In order to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, will he in future publish on a daily basis how many patients in hospital with covid have previously had one jab, two jabs or no jabs at all? If that information is not held centrally, should it not be?
Minister reply
I am delighted by that question, because the data that I put in my statement was right off the press—it is new data. I am absolutely happy to look at how it is published and on what basis. I hear my right hon. Friend’s call for it to be published daily; we do update most of this data daily on the website. We have not got to that point yet—we have done a first cut of the data up to 3 June, as I read out—but the critical question is how many cases are translating into hospitalisations and then into deaths. I am very glad that we were able to do the first cut today, and I will see what I can do on publication.
Question
The Government are pushing through a data grab that will see GP patient records held on a central database, which will, in turn, be available to private companies. Anyone getting the covid-19 vaccine from 1 July will have their GP record updated and so uploaded to that database on that day, often without their knowledge. There are enough fears adding to vaccine hesitancy and the Government are now adding concerns about data privacy to that, so will the Secretary of State agree to stop this data grab, undertake a full consultation with patients about sharing their personal data and publicise just how they can opt out?
Minister reply
The way the hon. Lady characterises this policy proposal is not accurate. People listening to this debate should be reassured that the privacy and security of their data are absolutely paramount. I look forward to her working with the NHS and with government to reassure people about the use of their data, because, ultimately, by making sure that we can understand what is happening, we can find better treatments, improve individuals’ treatment and save lives. This is all about making sure we use the best of modern technology to save lives and, in the process, improve the privacy and security of data.
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s confirmation that we will hit the end of July target of vaccinating all adults in England. Will he give us a bit of a forward look to what he is planning for the autumn in terms of the flu season and any covid booster jabs? Is he expecting all adults over 50 to have a third jab? Does he think that that will be at the same time as a flu jab? Will it be combined? Or will we have to have two separate healthcare visits?
Minister reply
We are working on exactly that question. Of course, there is the question in advance of that of the vaccination of 12 to 18-year-olds, on which we are taking advice from the JCVI. We are conducting trials as to what are the best jabs to give, given which two previous jabs people have had, to give them the strongest protection. The third thing we are doing is working with AstraZeneca to develop a vaccine specifically targeted at the variants—that was part of the G7 work and announcements last week. If we can give a flu jab and a covid booster jab at the same time, that would be great. That is also under clinical evaluation, because, obviously, it would make the logistics so much easier over the autumn.
Question
The progress with the vaccination roll-out is really to be welcomed and I give my thanks to all the staff, vaccinators and others who have been responsible for that progress. There are understandable concerns about how we manage and deal with variants, and my questions are centred on that today. What surveillance is taking place on the following measures or what is proposed? These are really important issues: the longevity of immunogenesis and how that is going to be captured; the adaptability of the virus and how that is going to be countered; and the need to modify or develop new vaccines as we progress into a position where the majority of the population are vaccinated.
Minister reply
I join the hon. Gentleman in congratulating all those involved in the vaccine roll-out, everywhere in the UK. In Scotland, it has been a remarkable effort, with the UK Government working with the Scottish Administration, the NHS across the country, local councils and the armed services—it has been a big team effort, and that has been part of the success of the vaccine roll-out.
The hon. Gentleman asked about three critical areas of the science. Reviews of all three areas are ongoing. They are led by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer, whom the hon. Gentleman may have heard of, who is an absolutely brilliant clinician in this space—there are a lot more people involved who are doing excellent scientific work on these questions. That surveillance on immunogenicity, the work on the next-generation variant vaccine and the work on understanding the variants as we spot them is all going on.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jon Ashworth, welcomed Hancock's statement but urged further action. He highlighted that 73% of delta cases are in unvaccinated individuals and questioned if the timeframe between first and second doses could be shortened to maximise protection against this variant. Concerns were raised about mask-wearing policies in schools despite high transmission rates among secondary school-aged children, and Ashworth also asked for a timeline on when vaccinations would start for 12-15 year olds. On an international scale, he encouraged the Government's support of initiatives to vaccinate the world by the end of 2022. Additionally, Ashworth expressed concerns about NHS Digital gaining access to patients' confidential data from GP surgeries without sufficient transparency and consultation.
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