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Covid-19
25 May 2021
Lead MP
Nadhim Zahawi
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 39
At a Glance
Nadhim Zahawi raised concerns about covid-19 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
Our race against the virus continues with positive progress. Hospital admissions have fallen by 9% in the past week, and daily deaths are at their lowest since mid-March. Over 72% of adults have received a first dose, and 43% are fully vaccinated. The UK has administered over 60 million vaccines. Recent research shows that two doses provide similar protection against the Indian variant as they do for the B117 variant. We urge everyone to take both jabs when eligible. Rapid action is being taken in affected areas like Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford, Hounslow, Burnley, Leicester, Kirklees and North Tyneside. People are advised to avoid non-essential travel and maintain caution to protect against new variants.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Question
Cities like mine in Leicester have endured long lockdowns without adequate support. Imposing new restrictions through a website is upsetting, as no consultations were made with local leaders or citizens. Questions remain about travel plans for half-term breaks and weddings. Will the Minister answer these questions?
Minister reply
I urge people to be cautious as advised by the Prime Minister on 14 May. Indoor meetings should follow social distancing guidelines while outdoor meetings are safer. Avoid non-essential travel, especially in affected areas. We have a plan to surge test and vaccinate those communities.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Question
Congratulations on the vaccine programme roll-out. Considering children's role in virus transmission, should we look at vaccinating over-12s as other countries are doing?
Minister reply
The clinical decision has not yet been made but the infrastructure is ready. The US and Canada have approved it for 12 to 15-year-olds. Vaccines must be incredibly safe before administered to children.
Question
Can businesses still get financial support under new restrictions? Why was the PHE report on variants released late? With one dose only providing 33% effectiveness, are there plans to further shorten gaps between doses?
Minister reply
Businesses can still receive financial support. The Public Health England makes its own decisions regarding data release times. Two doses provide good protection against new variant; efforts ongoing for acceleration of vaccination programme.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Is there certainty that all restrictions will be lifted by June 21st based on the effectiveness of vaccines against variants?
Minister reply
Good news on vaccine efficacy against B.1.617 variant, but we remain vigilant and cautious, following an evidence-led strategy.
Question
Community pharmacies have performed well during the pandemic but only a few in Sandwell are authorised for vaccines; when will more be rolling out?
Minister reply
Over 500 community pharmacies and independent pharmacies are now part of vaccine deployment. Planning to look into constituency's situation.
Question
What work is being done to ensure local infrastructure supports continued vaccination roll-out?
Minister reply
Planning booster jabs by September; ensuring vaccine availability for all eligible groups, especially those at higher risk from variants like B.1.617.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Question
The Government's lax border control led to the importation of a variant in Bedford. Why are people there paying for this?
Minister reply
Turbocharging vaccination programme in Bedford; resource allocation and vaccine prioritisation strategies are being implemented.
Question
People over 50 at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough report difficulty accessing first dose of Pfizer. Will Minister look into this?
Minister reply
Will look into issue; good news from MHRA that Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can now be stored for up to a month, making it more versatile.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Concerns about travel and work restrictions in the London Borough of Hounslow, including whether constituents should cross borough boundaries for essential activities such as school or medical appointments, and requests for prioritising vaccinations for key workers like teachers and airport staff who must travel to Hounslow.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concerns over Hounslow's situation; advises caution in crossing the boundary only if necessary; vaccination programme is being strengthened.
Mark Harper
Con
South Dorset
Question
Proposes adjusting remaining rules post-21 June to reflect lower risk due to widespread vaccinations, questioning whether such measures will remain indefinitely.
Minister reply
Emphasises that even vaccinated individuals should isolate if they contract COVID; considers alternative testing options for contacts of potential cases.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Praises the national vaccination effort and inquires about parameters for localised lockdowns across devolved regions.
Minister reply
Acknowledges successful vaccine rollout; emphasises importance of personal responsibility and cautious behaviour until widespread vaccination.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
Asks for detailed proposals on the use of COVID passports in domestic settings.
Minister reply
Explains that various evidence is being considered regarding status certification; no final decisions made, but conclusions will be shared before step 4.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
Highlights poor conditions in quarantine hotels and seeks explanation for Government's failure to address these issues.
Minister reply
Denies the description of poor hotel conditions; offers to investigate specific complaints about water quality and food standards.
Question
Praises local vaccination efforts in Suffolk and north-east Essex, and inquires about community pharmacies' role in NHS recovery plans.
Minister reply
Reassures the MP that community pharmacies are central to deployment infrastructure; acknowledges their importance.
Question
Asks for an update on the development of a nasal vaccine for those with needle phobia.
Minister reply
Confirms ongoing work with manufacturers on alternative delivery technologies, including pills and nasal sprays.
Andy Carter
Lab
Warrington South
Question
Acknowledges the role of vaccines in combating COVID but asks for an update on drug research for hospitalised patients.
Minister reply
Announces the Prime Minister's therapeutics taskforce to identify new treatments and antivirals.
Question
Questions transparency around procurement of unlicensed lateral flow tests, demanding details on when contracts were signed and by whom.
Minister reply
Confirms a full inquiry in spring 2022 to learn lessons from the pandemic response; highlights adherence to contracting rules.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
Concerns about vaccine side effects and monitoring, especially for younger age groups.
Minister reply
The Minister assures the data sharing system on adverse incidents is in place. The MHRA and Public Health England monitor and publish this information to ensure public confidence.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
Steps taken by the Government to be a leader in global response to tackling covid-19.
Minister reply
The UK is the first country to put £548 million into COVAX and has delivered more than 450 million doses, mostly from Oxford-AstraZeneca. Pfizer also offers vaccines at cost to low-income countries.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Question
Steps for turbocharged vaccinations in areas with high transmission or new variants.
Minister reply
The Government is looking into mobile vaccination sites, extended hours at existing locations, and additional resources to support these efforts.
Question
Encouragement for hospitals to facilitate visits for frail elderly patients.
Minister reply
The Minister will take the constituents’ details to address this concern. Hospitals are urged to ensure social contact for frail elderly patients.
Question
UK’s position on waiving covid-19 vaccine patents, and its impact.
Minister reply
While the IP issue is considered, operational challenges like technology transfer to manufacturers are more crucial. Oxford-AstraZeneca transferred tech to 20 sites, manufacturing at scale.
Question
Establishing pop-up vaccination sites for surge vaccination in high case areas.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees and will work with the MP on local initiatives to ensure doses are available as soon as possible.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
Priority vaccination for pregnant women.
Minister reply
The JCVI is reviewing data on pregnancy and vaccine prioritisation. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are available to eligible pregnant women.
Question
Speed of lifting restrictions based on scientific evidence, particularly for indoor gatherings.
Minister reply
The Minister commits to following the science and data. Faster vaccination will allow for lifting restrictions sooner, including choirs and singing events.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
Recognition of NHS nurses' hard work and their deserved pay.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the work done by NHS staff. The outcome from the panel deliberations on nurses’ pay will guide further action.
Scunthorpe
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for his assistance in ensuring continuity of supply to the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe and our other vaccination hubs. Over 71% of our adult population in North Lincolnshire have received their first vaccine and almost 50% have had their second vaccine. Will he join me in thanking the fantastic volunteers who I see outside in all weathers at the Baths Hall, welcoming patients to receive their vaccination? We quite simply could not have done it without them.
Minister reply
I absolutely join my hon. Friend in that, because I see it up and down the country all the time. I spoke earlier about the Dunkirk spirit, with people coming up and saying, “I want to be counted. I want to be part of this.” We demonstrated it to the world a little bit in the 2012 Olympics. This is a whole other scale of operation. Nevertheless, we have delivered on it and will continue to deliver on it, and I stand on the shoulders of the real heroes and heroines of the NHS family, our armed forces and local government.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
The vaccine works—it prevents serious illness and helps to prevent transmission—but I read in the papers this morning that even if someone has had two jabs, if they come into contact with someone who is positive after 21 June, they will still have to isolate for 10 days. Could my hon. Friend confirm whether or not that is correct?
Minister reply
I answered a question on this issue earlier. Obviously if someone contracts covid, they have to isolate and quarantine, but in terms of their contacts, we are looking at regular testing to see whether there is an alternative. I am afraid that my hon. Friend will have to wait a little longer before step four, and we will say more on this on 14 June.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Question
It is a pleasure to be back in the Chamber, but for many like me who are immunocompromised, returning in person to the workplace is concerning, as we do not yet know how effective the vaccines are for us. Will the Minister consider allowing immunocompromised people to have access to antibody testing, thereby giving us some idea of the vaccines’ efficacy and some knowledge of our level of protection from the virus?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady asked a similar question last week, and Professor Harnden of the JCVI said that the problem with antibody testing is what it really tells us. I will happily ask the question again on her behalf of the JCVI. Suffice it to say that on 17 May we put out guidance to employers saying that those who are shielding and immunocompromised should be allowed to work from home if they need to.
Chris Green
Con
Ashfield
Question
Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Government’s position on the coronavirus pandemic is that it is still a question of life and death, that communications are vital in this effort and that compliance follows confidence, which in turn follows competence? Will he confirm when these local lockdown measures were agreed with the leadership at Bolton Council and when the Prime Minister formally agreed to this updated guidance being imposed?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend will recall that the Prime Minister addressed this issue on 14 May.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
The Minister has done a good job on the vaccines, but this statement is utterly chaotic and completely confused. What advice is he actually giving to people in the north-west or in West Yorkshire about going to the pub, about weddings and about travel—even about whether, if they are allowed to travel out of Bolton, they are allowed to travel to Portugal, on the green list, for holidays? Is not the reality that he is so uncomfortable about giving any advice because he knows the reason he is putting these people in Bolton, in West Yorkshire and in other places in this position is that the Government failed to put India on the red list earlier? Over 400 people from India came into the country with the Indian variant, and putting India on the red list would have prevented it from spreading to thousands of other people in the community. Will he apologise to people in the areas that are affected with the additional restrictions he is advising because of the Government’s failure?
Minister reply
I do not agree with the right hon. Lady, as she will not be surprised to hear. I have already talked about how visiting families are impacted and pubs and hospitality are affected, and about the exercise of caution and being careful. She will recall that when India was put on the red list on 23 April, it was a full six days later that this particular variant was identified by the experts—the virologists—as a variant of interest, and a full two weeks later before it became a variant of concern. So her point, actually, is made unfairly.
James Davies
Con
Question
When does my hon. Friend anticipate that the NHS smartphone app will be enabled to allow those in Wales to demonstrate their covid vaccination status? Further to that, does he expect that other features of the app, such as the ability to book GP appointments, to order prescriptions and to view notes will also be enabled in Wales?
Minister reply
We are working closely with the Welsh Government to enable the integration of Welsh citizens’ data with the NHS app, NHS.uk, for the purpose of covid status certification, including undertaking the required scoping and impact assessment that will enable us to set out a detailed timeline for the delivery of that integration.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
The people of Bosworth are a pragmatic bunch, as are the people of Leicestershire. Leicestershire surrounds Leicester. What advice does the Minister give to those people who are in Leicestershire who send their kids to school in Leicester, who work in Leicester, and who are thinking of having bank holiday time with family in Leicester?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend—[Interruption.] I hear the right hon. Member for Leicester South saying “Good question.” He is absolutely right. We have to exercise caution and common sense, as I described earlier, around visiting. People absolutely can visit family and friends at half-term if they follow social distancing guidelines. I think people absolutely will exercise that personal responsibility and common sense when they go about their family time or school time.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
Last year the Prime Minister gave in to pressure from trade unions and cross-party opposition and announced refunds for health and care workers from overseas for the £624 charge they are paying to use the NHS. Yesterday the Minister for Health, the hon. Member for Charnwood (Edward Argar) could not tell me how many healthcare workers had been refunded, and in Committee earlier, the Care Minister did not know either. Does this Minister know how many, if any, healthcare heroes have had their NHS charges refunded, or was it just another empty promise from this Government?
Minister reply
I am happy to write to the hon. Lady with the answer to her question. Suffice it to say that this is an important amount of money to those people and I do not think we should be playing politics with it in a sort of “gotcha” moment.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Question
The Minister will recall that we were told that the first lockdown was required to give time to build capacity in the NHS. Can he therefore tell us how many more hospital beds are available now than in March last year?
Minister reply
I will write to my right hon. Friend with that detail. Suffice it to say that we now have 908 people with covid, as I said in my statement—the lowest number since lockdown.
Emma Lewell
Lab
South Shields
Question
South Shields and North Tyneside are interconnected. Today, my community and businesses are incredibly anxious. We know that local lockdowns do not work and inevitably lead to national ones. We know that it is likely that there will be other variants of this virus, which may well be with us for ever. Lockdowns break our economy and society, cause mental distress, delay vital cancer treatments, lead to further unemployment and exacerbate inequalities. Can the Minister explain why the Government’s response—instead of fixing test, trace and isolate, for example—is always more restrictions and endless cycles of lockdown?
Minister reply
I hope the hon. Lady agrees that the vaccination programme has given us a way out of non-pharmaceutical interventions, which were the only thing we had at our disposal to try to slow down the pandemic and the virus. As we transition from pandemic to endemic, we are planning for a booster shot in the autumn to protect the most vulnerable or all people in phase 1—that clinical decision has yet to be made. We are already making plans for next year to deal with covid, as we deal with seasonal flu, through annual vaccination programmes. By next year, this country will be able to manufacture 700 million doses of vaccine, not just for the UK but to help the rest of the world.
Jason McCartney
Con
Kirklees West
Question
My constituency is in Kirklees. I could ask about how the new travel advice for Kirklees was communicated to my constituents, but instead I want to clarify three things with the Minister. The first is travel advice. It is half-term next week, and families will be visiting and going on short breaks. Should they now cancel those trips? Secondly, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants are getting cancellations. What support will hospitality get? Finally, my constituents can see the data on where the hotspots are. When will we start using granular data to tackle the outbreaks, rather than lumping whole council areas into these advised restrictions?
Minister reply
Let me take those questions in reverse. On granular data, we already have the capability in the vaccination programme to see by postcode area where the uptake is at. That is how we can focus our resources to turbocharge the programme, as we have done and will continue to do, including in Kirklees.
On pubs and hospitality, indoor areas and hospitality venues can continue to serve seated clientele, diners and drinkers, as I described earlier. If people have booked visits to their families, they are absolutely able to have them as long as they follow social distancing guidelines and common sense.
We need to make sure that we are vigilant, because the B1617.2 variant is concerning, and we have to bring it under control by turbocharging vaccinations, surge testing, isolating and genome sequencing.
Question
I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley: what we need now more than ever before is clear communication from the Government, so that residents of Burnley, Blackburn and Bolton know exactly what is expected of them. Will the Minister confirm that this guidance is guidance and that my constituents can still exercise the freedoms that they reclaimed last Monday? Will he meet me and other colleagues to talk through what more we can do to make sure that communication is clear in the areas where we need it most?
Minister reply
I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend. On the guidance, as I have made clear on a number of occasions at the Dispatch Box, people have to be careful and vigilant, as they have been already. A number of colleagues have asked about the Batley and Spen by-election. We have just demonstrated in the local elections that we can conduct elections safely; we will be able to conduct that by-election safely, too. People just need to be sensible. Let us work together, bring this together and take the politics out of it.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
Cities like Leicester and towns such as Burnley have endured long lockdowns without adequate support. Imposing restrictions through a website rather than direct communication is upsetting. Local directors of public health, MPs and citizens were not consulted. Questions remain about travel plans, weddings, and educational breaks. The guidance should be withdrawn for consultation with local public health leaders to address isolation support and contact tracing needs.
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