Public Health

John Spellar Lab Co-op

Warley

Asked whether viruses always mutate and if the Government had planned for such mutations.

Steve Brine Con

Winchester

While supporting the Health Secretary, asked about lifting restrictions by mid-February after vaccinating priority groups to prevent overwhelming the NHS.

Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op

Cardiff South and Penarth

Inquired about vaccine production capacity and concerns regarding a factory in Wales not operating seven days a week.

Jonathan Ashworth Lab

Leicester South

We will support the regulations, but I did not come into politics to restrict people’s freedoms in this way. Restrictions have a devastating impact on our economy and mental health of constituents. The shadow spokesman agrees that if we are to support lockdowns, assurances from Ministers that mental health services will be fully resourced, open and responsive throughout lockdown must be provided.

Robert Halfon Con

Central Essex

While supporting the Government’s health measures, I am worried about school closures. A risk assessment of the loss of learning, impact on mental health, and safeguarding hazards for children not in school must be done. There has been a fourfold increase in eating disorders among young people due to school closures and social isolation. School closures put enormous pressure on parents’ livelihoods and wellbeing as they have to juggle their work while looking after their children or reduce their hours.

Philippa Whitford SNP

Central Ayrshire

It is a false dichotomy to set public health against the economy. Allowing increased levels of spread increases the risk of generating problematic new variants. The Government must consider what strategy they will follow at the end of the lockdown, providing both financial and practical support to those who need to isolate. Strict controls at external borders would avoid importing more covid cases and new variants.

Graham Brady Con

Altrincham and Sale West

Acknowledges the seriousness of the situation but expresses concerns over potential long-term restrictions. Calls for regular votes on lockdown regulations to prevent excessive government power. Emphasises the importance of allowing schools to reopen as soon as possible and stresses the need for a clear rationale behind restrictive measures.

Vicky Foxcroft Lab

Lewisham North

Raises concerns about the impact of lockdowns on disabled individuals, criticising the lack of assessment and communication. Highlights issues such as delayed shielding guidance, inaccessible government communications, unmet financial needs for disabled people, and calls for more representation from experts by experience in decision-making processes.

Cheryl Gillan Con

Chipping Barnet

Expresses support for the regulations while emphasising the need for regular reviews and debates. Urges better communication to combat misinformation, prioritises teaching staff for vaccines based on PHE data, seeks more aviation sector support, and calls for a clear exit strategy including vaccination targets.

Barbara Keeley Lab

Worsley and Eccles South

Supports the necessary measures but highlights issues such as non-covid care disruptions in hospitals and stresses the importance of supporting NHS staff, including prioritising vaccinations for everyone on the frontline. Criticises the insufficient financial support for self-isolation and calls for statutory sick pay at full wage levels.

Andrew Murrison Con

South West Wiltshire

Supports the regulations but with reservations. Emphasises the need for more detailed data on vaccine delivery and deployment, including daily updates on jabs in arms versus jabs offered. Urges clarity on exit strategy criteria beyond vaccination progress.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan Con

Blyth Valley

Expresses gratitude for the NHS efforts and Prime Minister's foresight in supporting vaccine development. Concerned about home schooling challenges due to lockdowns, especially regarding GCSEs and A-levels. Highlights the positive atmosphere at a local vaccination site.

Stella Creasy Lab Co-op

Walthamstow

Critiques the government's lack of clarity and consistency in regulations, which has caused confusion among the public. Points out issues with financial support, job losses, testing access, school closures, care homes, homeless individuals, and NHS resource shortages.

Richard Burgon Lab

Leeds East

Voted against the previous tier system due to its inadequacy and lack of economic support. Advocates for a zero-covid strategy, full pay furlough for non-essential workers unable to work from home, guaranteed furlough for parents dealing with childcare issues, sick pay at real living wage levels, minimum income guarantee including self-employed people, rent relief and ban on evictions, laptop provision for all children learning remotely, scrapping of tuition fees, and reimbursement of accommodation costs for university students.

Ian Liddell-Grainger

Praises the roll-out of vaccines in rural areas but highlights difficulties due to distance from vaccine centres. Expresses concern over Somerset County Council's performance during the pandemic. Advocates for the continuation of work at Hinckley Point C nuclear power station and suggests careful consideration regarding schools and childcare needs for workers.

Clive Efford Lab

Eltham and Chislehurst

Supports the measures but regrets the need due to Government's previous indecision and incompetence. Criticises the Government for being behind the curve in providing devices to students during lockdown and failing to vaccinate teachers, leading to a lack of confidence among staff.

Julie Elliott Lab

Sunderland Central

She expressed concern over the Government's delayed action in implementing lockdown measures, highlighting issues with school closures and lack of data and devices for home learning. She pointed out that about 1 million children still lacked adequate resources to learn effectively at home, which she deemed unacceptable. Elliott also discussed the logistical challenges faced by schools trying to manage hybrid teaching models.

Alberto Costa Con

South Leicestershire

Costa acknowledged that while the restrictions were necessary, they were draconian and called for an accelerated vaccine rollout. He thanked local NHS stakeholders for their efforts in organising vaccination centres across South Leicestershire and urged the Government to do all it can to lift lockdowns once vaccines are widely distributed.

Sammy Wilson DUP

East Antrim

Wilson criticised repeated lockdown measures, arguing they caused significant economic damage and educational disruption. He emphasised the need for better support for self-employed individuals, prioritisation of children’s education, vaccination of teachers to ensure school safety, and a package of support for the aviation industry in Northern Ireland.

Liam Fox Con

Beckenham

Acknowledged the difficulty faced by Health Ministers and the Prime Minister in balancing public health and economic consequences. Suggested that Parliament should have more debate and regular votes during lockdown periods for better oversight. Complimented the Government's vaccine programme, but emphasised the need to balance supply of vaccines with an adequate number of vaccinators. Highlighted the importance of having a surge capacity in vaccinators to cater to demographic and regional differences across the country. Recommended that former GPs should be allowed to return to vaccinating roles more easily. Stressed the need for more scrutiny on the vaccine process, including better understanding of single-dose effectiveness and continued immune response from vaccines.

Margaret Greenwood Lab

Wirral West

Called for a national lockdown due to rising cases in Wirral and across the UK. Highlighted local statistics showing 606 cases per 100,000 people and nearly 600 coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic in Wirral. Urged the Government to ease the process for retired NHS staff to volunteer as vaccinators and suggested that these volunteers should receive priority for vaccinations themselves. Called on the Chancellor to extend statutory sick pay to all workers, including self-employed individuals, and raise its level. Questioned the confusion around the public health grant increase commitment by the Secretary of State and asked for clarity.

Simon Fell Con

Wyre and Preston North

Focused on getting out of lockdown as soon as possible with a clear roadmap to recovery, emphasising economic recovery in northern areas which have been effectively in lockdown for months. Praised the Government's efforts at transparency but suggested daily vaccination levels should be shared by area. Suggested mobilizing community pharmacies and growing locations where vaccinations can take place 24/7. Emphasised the need for a clear plan on how to live with the virus long-term, including investment in bioscience and biomanufacturing industries.

Sarah Owen Lab

Luton North

Critiqued the Government's reactive approach during the pandemic, noting over 76,000 deaths and hospitals at breaking point. Highlighted anxiety among young people regarding exams and futures due to lack of guidance from the government. Questioned why BTEC students are left out of guidance and asked for a clear strategy on vaccinating nursery staff, teachers, school-support staff, and cleaners before returning to classrooms in February. Requested detailed information on vaccine manufacturing schedule, dissemination measures, critical mass needed for vaccination before easing restrictions, and ongoing shielding measures for those who cannot be vaccinated.

Mark Harper Con

Fylde

Acknowledges the need for stricter regulations due to the new variant and case growth, but suggests that the Government should return to Parliament in February to seek authority to relax restrictions. He supports the JCVI's prioritisation of vulnerable groups for vaccination and calls for greater transparency in reporting daily vaccine numbers by region and cohort.

Mike Hill Lab

Hartlepool

Expresses pride in Hartlepool’s community response to the crisis. He criticises the lack of clarity regarding work rules during lockdowns, particularly around schools reopening or closing. He calls for more Government support on health commitments and vaccination roll-out.

Simon Clarke Con

Newton Abbot

Agrees with the Government’s focus on virus containment due to new variant and vaccines. Supports speeding up vaccine roll-out, emphasising the need for all deployable resources. Advocates for schools to support key workers' children's education and ensures remote learning access.

Munira Wilson Lib Dem

Twickenham

Wilson emphasised the necessity of a clear exit strategy from lockdown, focusing on the vaccine roll-out and involving various sectors like the military, private sector, voluntary sector, local government, and community pharmacies. She also highlighted the need for paid sick leave during self-isolation and transparent communication regarding reopening plans.

Maria Miller

Miller thanked the Secretary of State for providing briefings with medical experts to Members but called for regular updates on vaccine roll-out progress and questioned the sequencing of vaccinating teachers as a priority group. She expressed support for the necessary measures while urging the Government for more clarity and transparency.

Yvette Cooper Lab

Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley

Cooper raised concerns about the potential threat of the South African variant to the vaccine programme and criticised the Government's border measures as insufficient. She called for urgent action to prevent its spread and advocated for rapid action in rolling out the vaccine programme.

Adam Holloway

Holloway congratulated the Government on their vaccination programme progress but highlighted the need for more help with bookings, especially as more vaccines become available. He also expressed support for inoculating those at risk and stressed the importance of urgency in getting vulnerable groups vaccinated.

Jeff Smith Lab

Manchester Withington

Smith supports the legislation, emphasising the need for additional financial support for businesses, particularly small businesses and those in the hospitality sector. He urges the government to consider a shared rental burden scheme similar to models seen in Australia. Smith also highlights the importance of finding solutions for those not helped by the self-employment income support scheme and calls for a Government-backed insurance scheme for festival organisers. Lastly, he stresses the need to provide councils with adequate funding.

Huw Merriman

Merriman supports the new restrictions due to the vaccine's imminent arrival and current strain on hospital capacity. He emphasises the importance of prioritising vaccinations for those most at risk, such as elderly parents of school teachers, to ensure a safe reopening of schools. Merriman also encourages young people to see this period as an opportunity to contribute positively by supporting older generations.

Stephanie Peacock Lab

Barnsley South

Peacock criticises the government for failing to act swiftly and with clear leadership, resulting in loss of lives and livelihoods. She calls for an efficient vaccine rollout alongside an effective Test and Trace system. Peacock highlights the economic impact on her constituents, including increased use of universal credit and food banks, and advocates for a more comprehensive statutory sick pay scheme.

Charles Walker

Walker opposes criminalizing parents who take their children to parks during lockdowns, arguing that such measures are difficult for those without financial security. He urges lawmakers and media personalities to show compassion towards individuals struggling with the new restrictions due to economic and mental health concerns.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab

Clapham and Brixton Hill

The Government's approach to the pandemic has been inadequate, leading to one of the worst per capita death tolls and economic outcomes. A national lockdown is needed along with a robust elimination strategy focusing on driving down infection rates. The lack of an effective track and trace system, support measures for those excluded from government schemes, funding for charities and local authorities, rent relief, statutory sick pay increases, and access to laptops and broadband are all issues that require immediate attention.

David Evennett

Supports the Government's policies and new public health regulations brought in to combat coronavirus. Acknowledges the hard work of the Secretary of State and commends NHS staff for their efforts during the pandemic. Expresses concern over rising infection rates in London, highlighting mental health issues, educational consequences due to school closures, and the importance of vaccination roll-out. Urges to streamline bureaucracy to increase vaccine distribution efficiency.

Janet Daby Lab

Lewisham East

Raises concerns over the crisis facing ambulance services in Lewisham East due to the pandemic's impact, with staff sickness at an all-time high and significant mental health issues among frontline workers. Criticises the current situation where ambulances are queuing outside hospitals for extended periods, leaving patients on trolleys without proper care facilities.

Siobhan Baillie

Supports the Government's measures but highlights the need to prioritise education, physical exercise, and support for entrepreneurs. Urges immediate reopening of schools to address learning gaps and mental health issues exacerbated by home schooling. Advocates for re-opening gyms and sports clubs to improve physical well-being, recognising their role in combating covid and supporting mental health.

Ian Byrne Lab

Liverpool West Derby

Infection levels in Liverpool are higher than during October's second peak. Teachers need urgent vaccinations due to their frontline work. The Government must address food insecurity, support self-employed individuals and fight pernicious practices that drive people into destitution, protect renters from eviction, and extend the Everybody In scheme.

Robert Syms

The three-month nature of the regulations is too long and not proportionate. Parliament should have a more active role in these decisions to ensure reviews are conducted regularly. There needs to be clear criteria for lifting restrictions, such as hospitals, infection rates or deaths, and inoculation progress.

Daniel Zeichner Lab

Cambridge

The new lockdown measures were chaotic and unnecessary, causing significant problems in education, including BTEC exams being cancelled at short notice. The diminished powers of local authorities highlight the lack of necessary public health hazard closing rights. Isolation support is lacking; financial help to isolate was not utilised by many due to Government failure.

Pauline Latham

Vaccinations are crucial and need to be ramped up with great ambition, aiming for at least 4 million a week. There needs to be hope that vaccinated individuals will resume some normality, allowing schools and businesses to operate normally. Every community pharmacy and qualified individual should help distribute the vaccine swiftly.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Supports the proposals to protect NHS workers and patients, citing urgent need for vaccination. Highlights local efforts in Sheffield to vaccinate up to 30,000-40,000 people weekly by Easter but stresses the necessity of addressing logistical issues such as vaccine delivery delays and excessive bureaucracy. Urges for better enforcement of mask-wearing rules and removal of unnecessary restrictions.

Bob Neill

Proposes that restrictive measures should only be passed if there is a compelling necessity, proportionality, and proper parliamentary scrutiny. While supporting the regulations based on evidence of virus growth in his constituency, he criticises certain rules such as the ban on outdoor activities like golf and tennis. Urges for timely reviews of all measures.

Paul Blomfield

Supports the measures but regrets the Government's late response, highlighting support gaps for small businesses and self-employed individuals in sectors like hospitality and creative arts. Advocates for extending financial aid beyond March 31st and permanent increases to universal credit. Stresses the importance of addressing low pay and fragile employment while pushing for a public sector pay rise. Emphasises the need for international vaccine distribution.

Caroline Nokes Con

Romsey and Southampton North

Welcomes consensus across the House but emphasises the need to balance restrictions with frequent reviews and monitoring. Advocates for prioritising vaccinations for teachers, special school staff, domiciliary care workers, and people with learning difficulties. Criticises inadequate communication strategies regarding vaccine rollouts and information provision.

Karin Smyth Lab

Bristol South

Smyth highlighted the importance of supporting industries such as retail, hospitality, care, building and trades in Bristol South that have been affected by job losses. She emphasised the need for transparency regarding vaccine roll-out plans, including details about vaccines available, recipients, locations, and timelines. She proposed a local approach with Ashton Gate stadium ready to assist in the vaccine delivery, advocating for clarity and support from the government.

Desmond Swayne Con

New Forest West

Swayne criticised the Government’s adherence to failed policies and expressed concern over a potential continuation of restrictions even after vaccines become available. He warned MPs about economic consequences, suggesting that voters would turn against them when the full impact of restrictive measures is felt.

Nigel Evans

Evans ensured he was audible during the debate, showing engagement with the topic but without providing substantial new information or positions beyond his brief statement.

Ian Paisley Jnr

Paisley expressed skepticism about the certainty of vaccine effectiveness and questioned the necessity of ongoing lockdowns. He emphasised the need for a clear strategy in rolling out vaccines to key workers, vulnerable groups, and elderly populations. He also highlighted issues within the healthcare system regarding undiagnosed cases due to fear of hospital visits.

John Redwood

Redwood called for a more urgent exit strategy from current restrictions and better communication on vaccine roll-out plans and medical progress with treatments. He advocated for increased use of pharmacies, volunteers, and improved infection control measures to manage the virus effectively.

Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op

Cardiff South and Penarth

These lockdown measures are necessary because of the crisis facing the healthcare system; over 1,000 deaths were reported today. The vaccines provide hope for an exit from this situation, but we need greater assurances on vaccine production and distribution. There must be health protections at our borders to prevent further spread.

Nigel Evans Con

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On behalf of everyone in Westminster, sending best wishes for Jo Stevens' full recovery from illness.

John Hayes Con

South Holland and The Deepings

Supporting SMEs as they cope with covid challenges is crucial. Firms that depend on advertising revenue are particularly vulnerable. We must ensure the vaccine reaches rural communities locally and accessibly. Contrast independent businesses struggling with large corporations profiting from the crisis.

Wes Streeting Lab

Ilford North

These measures are needed to prevent NHS services from being overwhelmed, which has serious consequences for lives, livelihoods and learning. The Government needs to act quickly and decisively, ensure public health and economic health go hand in hand, and support children and young people's education.

Andrew Rosindell Con

Romford

The measures are a fundamental assault on liberties and livelihoods. There must be balance and proportionality considering long-term consequences for constituents' lives. The shutdown may do more damage in the long term than the pandemic itself.

Bill Esterson Lab

Sefton Central

I want us to learn from what has happened since March, rather than saying no... They all have a contribution to make as the economy eventually recovers, and the stronger and healthier their finances are now, the better placed they and many other businesses will be to play their part when the time comes.

Alec Shelbrooke Con

Wetherby and Easingwold

I want to start by praising the Prime Minister for the way in which he has taken the decisions... That is a radical solution, but this is an unprecedented situation.

John Spellar

In my experience, the Tories have never won elections because the public thought they cared but rather because they believed them to be competent. Black Wednesday did for John Major and I suspect that the covid crisis will deal with the Johnson regime... What happens when we get a flow, as we will with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine because that will be much easier to handle as it does not require the same degree of refrigeration?

Kim Johnson Lab

Liverpool Riverside

There have been more than 2 million confirmed covid cases in the UK, 71,000 people have tragically died, and a staggering one in 50 are now diagnosed with covid—another record high for this country... Let me conclude by paying tribute to our valiant NHS, all the workers who have continued to work to keep my city safe: the council, public health, the community and voluntary sector, and the army of amazing volunteers.

Ruth Edwards Con

Rushcliffe

Supported the regulations due to rising infection rates and hospital pressures, praised the Vaccine Taskforce's work and urged the Government to explore all options for quick vaccine rollout. Emphasised the need for clarity on conditions for easing restrictions and a clear plan for reopening schools.

Liz Twist Lab

Blaydon and Consett

Highlighted that lockdown disproportionately affects key workers and disadvantaged communities, urging the Government to raise statutory sick pay to cover living costs. Advocated for better support of NHS staff and social care workers, and called for an equitable vaccine strategy to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind.

Tim Farron Lib Dem

Westmorland and Lonsdale

Supported the proposed restrictions as they safeguard life and health. Advocated for economic support for excluded groups, outdoor education centres, and a cancer treatment backlog strategy. Urged the Government to expedite vaccine supply and prioritise teachers in vaccination.

Tim Loughton

Acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but questioned the national lockdown's necessity, arguing for more time to debate before implementing such measures. Highlighted inconsistencies and unnecessary restrictions, emphasised the need for a full-time vaccine rollout effort to expedite recovery.

Rachel Hopkins Lab

Luton South

Thanked the scientists for their efforts, criticised the Government's handling of the pandemic and lockdowns, expressed concern about vaccine manufacturing capacity due to past underinvestment, highlighted the need for a detailed strategy for vaccinating key workers.

Richard Graham

Acknowledged the necessity of supporting the Government's third lockdown, praised local collaboration in Gloucestershire, called for transparency regarding vaccination numbers and daily rates, suggested prioritising teachers' vaccinations to boost confidence in reopening schools safely.

Nigel Evans

Acknowledged a technical issue with timekeeping during the debate.

Fleur Anderson Lab

Putney

Expressed support for the third national lockdown to protect lives and hospitals, criticised the failure of track and trace system, welcomed vaccine roll-out but expressed disappointment in economic support gaps, advocated for community-led vaccination centres, called for contract resolution on scrubs for NHS providers.

Alex Norris Lab Co-op

Nottingham North and Kimberley

Expressed gratitude for the recall of Parliament to address important business. Noted daily figures of deaths due to coronavirus, emphasising the necessity of supporting regulations despite challenges. Acknowledged support from Labour colleagues for those excluded or affected by government policies. Criticised the government's failure to manage the pandemic effectively and called for more comprehensive measures beyond vaccine rollout, including better economic support and improvements in test and trace systems.

Helen Whately Con

Faversham and Mid Kent

Indicated dissent during Alex Norris's speech, but no detailed position or statement was provided.

Helen Whately Con

Faversham and Mid Kent

The regulations provide for restrictions until March 31, 2021, not because the full national lockdown is expected to continue but to allow a steady, controlled move down through the tiers on a local basis. We do not want children at home longer than necessary and emphasise that schools were among the last to close and should be the first to reopen. The vaccine rollout has already reached over 1.3 million people, with the priority groups being care home residents and staff, those over 70, frontline NHS and care staff, and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. We will publish weekly data on the vaccination programme starting tomorrow, transitioning to daily data next week.

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