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Covid-19 Restrictions: South Yorkshire
21 October 2020
Lead MP
Edward Argar
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSTaxationCulture, Media & SportBenefits & WelfareLocal Government
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Edward Argar raised concerns about covid-19 restrictions: south yorkshire 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
NHSTaxationCulture, Media & SportBenefits & WelfareLocal Government
Government Statement
The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Care, Edward Argar (Melton), announced that due to a significant rise in coronavirus cases, South Yorkshire will move to the 'very high' local covid alert level as of Saturday morning. This decision is based on data showing over 12,000 new cases in October alone, more than combined for July, August and September. Additionally, intensive care beds with patients having COVID-19 are reaching half their peak levels from earlier this year, indicating the necessity to act promptly.
The Government has agreed upon a package of measures including casino closures, restrictions on betting shops, adult gaming centres, soft play centres, and limitations on gym classes. This decision also extends to Liverpool city region with similar concerns.
The statement emphasised support for those affected through schemes such as job retention grants ensuring at least 80% income when topped up with universal credit. An additional £11.2 million is allocated towards local enforcement and contract tracing activities, alongside extra funding for local authorities aiding businesses during the period of lockdown.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough
Question
The Member of Parliament from Middlesbrough questioned whether North East Derbyshire, an area bordering South Yorkshire and currently under tier two restrictions, would face similar stringent measures.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that while decisions are made on a case-by-case basis considering the local situation, discussions with affected areas have been ongoing to ensure tailored approaches reflecting local needs.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Question
The Member of Parliament from York Central sought clarity on when and how areas can transition out of lockdown status, highlighting concerns about hospital admission levels.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that transitions depend on the reduction in community transmission rates as measured by both national and regional R values. Specific criteria are under continuous review to ensure flexibility based on evolving circumstances.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Denton & Reddish
Question
Asked about the rationale behind South Yorkshire's tier 3 status, whether other areas might face similar restrictions, and requested clarity on criteria for lockdown duration and exit. Criticised contact tracing inadequacies and wage support reductions as compared to March. Pointed out potential three-week national lockdown plans by officials.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the necessity of timely measures but denied playing politics with local areas' livelihoods. Stated that infection rates, hospital capacity, and public health advice determine tier status duration, aiming for no longer than necessary. Emphasised effective contact tracing through a blended national-local system and economic support via universal credit and job schemes.
Welwyn Hatfield
Question
Asked if Doncaster can move down to tier 2 independently of Sheffield city region based on local compliance.
Minister reply
Confirmed that no area will remain in a higher tier longer than necessary and committed to regular reviews to monitor progress.
Martyn Day
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Question
Asked about the relationship with regional leaders, the timing of announcements, and whether financial support will be fully Barnettised.
Minister reply
Acknowledged positive working relationships but maintained that House announcement is standard practice. Suggested Chancellor was aware of the need for full funding to devolved Governments.
Miriam Cates
Con
Penistone and Stocksbridge
Question
Praised local leaders' collaborative approach and requested regular discussions about progress towards easing restrictions.
Minister reply
Confirmed ongoing communication with local leaders and frequent reviews at 14-day intervals to monitor progress.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
Acknowledging the need for measures to combat the virus, Olivia Blake expressed concern about individuals falling through the cracks of support schemes and questioned whether an income topped up by universal credit at 80% is sufficient. She mentioned specific cases where childcare funding was not accessible.
Minister reply
Edward Argar acknowledged her concerns and invited her to raise any specific sectors or cases in writing, promising to look into them.
Rother Valley
Question
Concerned about the impact of increased restrictions on mental health, Alexander Stafford asked for assurances that mental health would be a key part of the system and receive adequate support.
Minister reply
Edward Argar assured him that additional investment has gone into the NHS at all levels, including mental health, and emphasised the importance of providing advice and support.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
Question
Blomfield criticised the deal for not meeting local leaders' concerns or adequately supporting businesses, particularly in sectors like hospitality that are unviable under current restrictions.
Minister reply
Edward Argar responded by asserting that the support package is fair and proportionate to other areas in tier 3, and it aims to support businesses across all sectors.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Asked how tier 3 areas would be prioritised over tier 1 areas in the protocols for vaccination.
Minister reply
Edward Argar stated that distribution protocols are being worked on intensively and acknowledged his point.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley North
Question
Jarvis expressed support for the necessary actions but urged close working with local authorities and NHS to get a grip of the disease as soon as possible.
Minister reply
Edward Argar reiterated his commitment to continued close co-operation with Dan Jarvis and his colleagues to beat the disease in their region.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
Question
Asked whether there are plans for local three-week circuit breaker lockdowns, as reported.
Minister reply
Edward Argar reassured that he has not been involved or had sight of such plans.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Emphasised the importance of transparency and asked whether criteria for moving into tier 3 and out would be applied consistently across regions.
Minister reply
Edward Argar stated that while broad approaches are outlined, local factors may also influence considerations.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
Questioned potential discrepancies in infection rate data due to testing site locations.
Minister reply
Edward Argar offered to look into the issue if given more information, acknowledging that other factors beyond universities or a young population can drive spikes.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Asked about discussions and assistance given to Northern Ireland regarding job losses due to lockdowns.
Minister reply
Edward Argar assured that the same collegiate approach is adopted for all devolved Administrations, including close collaboration with Robin Swann in Northern Ireland.
Scott Benton
Con
High Peak
Question
Complimented local politicians, including Dan Jarvis, for their constructive cross-party negotiations.
Minister reply
Edward Argar joined him in commending all local leaders and Members of the House engaged in tackling the disease.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
Will the Government now give the Serco data to local public health teams, and will the Government provide the financial resources that those local teams need? That equates to roughly £300 million to the Liverpool city region.
Minister reply
The data referred to is Government/NHS data. The approach on contact tracing blends national scalability with local knowledge through working closely hand in hand with local public health teams.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
How can we better address the sense of disenfranchisement so that we give ourselves the best chance of staying in tier 2?
Minister reply
It is very important for everyone to adhere to the rules put in place. Building trust and consent involves working closely with local leaders and MPs.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Does the Minister recognise that each local authority has different economies, complexities, and vulnerabilities?
Minister reply
The approach taken is one of local tiering. The minister expresses willingness to engage early with local leaders on the issue.
Mark Harper
Con
Question
Will the Minister give an assurance that powers to use reasonable force will be limited only to police officers?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges concerns about reasonable force allowances and states there are no intentions of using such powers outside of the police.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Question
Why are they pursuing damaging restrictions on areas such as South Yorkshire, with inadequate financial support?
Minister reply
The minister believes that a local and regional approach will effectively drive down infection rates coupled with an economic and financial support package agreed with local leaders.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
Will my hon. Friend help to scotch any rumours that North Yorkshire is about to go into tier 2?
Minister reply
The minister reassures him based on recent briefings from the Secretary of State.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Sadly, it seems that none of the 18 Labour MPs has received an invite. Is that an accidental oversight or further evidence of increasing ambivalence towards our city region?
Minister reply
There is no ambivalence towards Greater Manchester; there is respect and affection for the area.
Jacob Young
Con
Question
Will the Minister confirm that when other areas face changes to local restrictions, his Department will continue to work with local leaders and Members of Parliament?
Minister reply
The minister confirms continued engagement with local leaders and Members of Parliament.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Question
How does the Minister expect people to live on only two-thirds of that poverty pay?
Minister reply
The minister states that combined support schemes will mean people get at least 80% of their wages, and he refutes her point about the living wage.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
What support can the Government offer to the local authority to monitor people from South Yorkshire in Cleethorpes?
Minister reply
The minister highlights that individuals should abide by the rules of their respective areas.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
One big concern about the local lockdowns in South Yorkshire and elsewhere is that if there is not enough money to support businesses to survive, there will be a longer-term impact on the economy and individual livelihoods if that is not put right. That will have a big impact on public health, and one of the biggest concerns is the loneliness of people living in single households, and the impact on their mental health. How is the Minister looking ahead—I hope that he will answer this point directly—to ensure that there is no long-term oncost to the health service from this misery for people who are left alone and are now unable to mix with households in South Yorkshire and other areas with hard lockdowns?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady makes an important point about loneliness and its impact on mental health. She will know that support bubbles still exist, but she alludes to a broader point about long-term mental health support. As I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Alexander Stafford), we have invested heavily in the NHS, which includes funding for mental health support services. The hon. Lady is right: this is not just about funding during this pandemic; this is about being aware of people’s long-term needs and the impact on them. I am happy to commit to considering that issue carefully in the months and years ahead.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Question
These tough measures will have a huge impact on the lives of local people. Can my hon. Friend assure me that the Government will do everything they can to provide an extensive package of support to local people, businesses and councils and that his Department will continue to do everything it can to avoid the need for such a lockdown in Stockton South?
Minister reply
I can give my hon. Friend exactly that assurance.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Question
The hospitality and tourism industry in Cumbria is comfortably our biggest employer. It was very much looking forward to half-term next week, as a chance for businesses to pick up after the enormous damage they have sustained as a result of the virus. However, we are seeing cancellation after cancellation, because neighbouring economies in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and now, of course, other parts of the north England have been put into tier 3 and people are therefore not able to travel. Rather than quibbling over £5 million, people in Cumbria are getting nothing—no compensation for their businesses collapsing. Will the Minister commit to making sure there is support of the hospitality and tourism industry in tier 1 places such as Cumbria, where our market has dried up because our neighbours are in tier 3?
Minister reply
I am sure the point the hon. Gentleman raises will be pertinent to areas in tier 1 nearby to South Yorkshire, too. He makes his point typically well. I recognise the impact on the hospitality industry and on other businesses, not just in the directly affected area but more broadly. As I say, he makes his point well, and I am sure the Chancellor will have heard what he says.
Question
None of us wants to see restrictions like those announced for Yorkshire today, but we all recognise the need to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. However, I am increasingly concerned about the long-term health impact the pandemic is having on things like mental health and long-term serious health conditions. A good example is the recent commissioning decision by NHS England to withdraw breast cancer screening units from places such as New Mills, Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, citing covid as the reason for the withdrawal. Will the Minister agree to meet me, so we can discuss how to reinstate breast cancer screening units to High Peak?
Minister reply
I, or a fellow Minister from the Department, will be very happy to meet my hon. Friend.
Peter Kyle
Lab
Hove and Portslade
Question
Local and regional authority leaders from South Yorkshire and right the way across the country will have heard the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister repeatedly say in the past 24 hours that they cannot exceed the items offered to Merseyside in their negotiations elsewhere. Will the Minister at least be honest and say that this is not a negotiation? It is a take-it-or-leave-it deal that other authorities can take. Those who lead authorities have to ask themselves the question: what is the point of negotiating?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman knows I have huge respect for him—indeed, a huge fondness for him —but I am afraid I cannot agree with what he says. We have been working very closely in a collegiate way with local authorities. It is absolutely right that, alongside that negotiation or discussion on the package and support they need, we recognise that we have to be fair and proportionate across other regions that are in the same tier. We have to ensure that the approach we are adopting, which we are, is both fair and proportionate.
Question
North East Derbyshire sits on the outskirts of South Yorkshire and many towns and villages, such as Dronfield, Eckington, Killamarsh and Ridgeway, look towards Sheffield for work and education. For the benefit of those residents, will the Minister confirm that there has been no change to the tier level in North East Derbyshire, that the rules remain the same unless those residents are travelling to Sheffield and that North East Derbyshire will continue to be dealt with on an independent basis, while working closely with Sheffield when we review our tier status in future?
Minister reply
As my hon. Friend knows, I know Dronfield having spent a very happy day there with him in the course of his successful election campaign. I can reassure him that the situation, as I stand here, remains exactly as he sets out.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Secretary of State, Jon Ashworth, questioned whether the decision to elevate South Yorkshire's alert level was premature or if new evidence necessitated this change. He inquired about the duration and criteria for exiting lockdown conditions and criticised the government’s approach as being both arbitrary and punitive towards communities.
Ashworth highlighted concerns over insufficient economic support offered by the government compared to earlier phases of the pandemic, specifically mentioning lower wage compensation under current schemes. He urged the government to provide better support through more generous financial aid packages while stressing the necessity for effective contact tracing measures.
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