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Covid-19 Update
14 December 2020
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentLocal Government
Other Contributors: 65
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 Minister of State for Health and Social Care, Matthew Hancock, made a statement on the progress and challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic. He highlighted that the NHS in England has begun vaccinations through GPs and care homes in Scotland. Despite these positive developments, daily hospital admissions have increased by 13% and daily cases are up 14%. A new variant of the virus was identified, associated with faster spread in south-eastern England; over 1,000 cases were confirmed predominantly in the south, spanning nearly 60 local authority areas. The minister emphasised the necessity to suppress the virus until the vaccine programme can be effective and announced stricter measures for Greater London, parts of Essex, and southern Hertfordshire, moving them into tier three status from Wednesday midnight due to rapid case growth. He also outlined plans to expand community testing and provide financial support through the furlough scheme and self-employed assistance. The minister stressed that while help is on its way with vaccines, immediate action is crucial to protect the NHS and prevent further cases.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Derby South
Question
The MP questioned the efficacy of tier three restrictions in Kent and asked about the plan to support an exhausted NHS through January. He also raised concerns over contact tracing efficiency, testing accuracy for care homes, isolation financial support, and access to vaccines for terminally ill patients.
Minister reply
The minister responded by emphasising the importance of swift action despite its difficulty. He reiterated plans for increased community testing and promised updates on the new variant's impact. While specifics were not provided, he committed to supporting those affected by the measures.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Delyn
Question
Expressed concern over rising case rates and the potential impact on NHS capacity during January. Questioned the adequacy of tier 2 restrictions, effectiveness of Test and Trace services, accuracy of lateral flow tests, and isolation support measures. Also brought up a specific case of Fred Banning with terminal cancer seeking faster vaccine access.
Minister reply
Acknowledged rising cases but noted positive trends in tier 3 areas. Emphasised the importance of unity in controlling the virus, the robust NHS funding and staffing levels, improving contact tracing efficiency, and commitment to ensuring clinically vulnerable individuals, including those with terminal illnesses like cancer, receive appropriate vaccine access.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
Question
Asked about the new strain of COVID-19 and its potential impact on current vaccines. Inquired whether travel to tier 3 areas for Christmas shopping is permissible.
Minister reply
Responded that the new variant is currently being assessed in Porton Down, with medical advice indicating it is unlikely to affect vaccine efficacy. Advised minimizing unnecessary travel to tier 3 areas to curb virus spread.
Central Ayrshire
Question
Critiqued the use of Innova lateral flow tests, citing concerns about their accuracy in detecting asymptomatic cases. Suggested focusing on easier access to PCR tests for more reliable results.
Minister reply
Defended the widespread use of testing, including lateral flow tests, highlighting their ability to detect infectious individuals and break transmission chains despite lower sensitivity.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
Acknowledging the serious dilemmas, he raises concerns about applying tier 3 to London, noting that infection rates are largely among secondary schoolchildren and do not heavily impact hospitals. He questions whether tier 3 measures should target better the real risk instead of impacting hospitality.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock acknowledges the desire for targeted measures but explains the need for broader restrictions due to rising case rates in over-60s and hospital admissions, emphasising the necessity of breaking the link between current cases and future hospitalisations.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
Expresses concern about job losses and economic hardship during the pandemic, inquiring about discussions with Work and Pensions Secretary regarding reducing poverty levels.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock discusses efforts to support the economy through financial measures such as the furlough scheme, and confirms regular discussions with the Work and Pensions Secretary to ensure necessary actions are taken.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
Expresses relief for areas like Harwich remaining in tier 2 and asks if efforts to reduce virus spread should be more localised, involving local authorities and community compliance.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock agrees that keeping the virus under control is a communal effort. He emphasises the importance of local communities working together and supporting NHS Test and Trace.
Question
Queries why Devon remains in tier 2 despite low case numbers and falling hospital admissions, suggesting it might be due to staff shortages following Conservative government cuts.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock refutes the suggestion of staffing issues, highlighting record numbers of NHS staff including more nurses. He encourages continued effort to keep Devon's rates down.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
Asks about reconsidering Christmas measures given rising cases and concerns over unnecessary deaths in the new year, despite optimism from vaccine roll-out.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock recommends caution during Christmas, especially with respect to elderly relatives. He advises personal responsibility even without symptoms.
Question
Expresses worry about Harlow being moved to tier 3 despite stable case rates and a lower increase compared to regional averages, questioning the impact on local hospitality businesses.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock explains that rising cases in Essex and Hertfordshire necessitate stricter measures. He encourages working together to reduce cases and return to tier 2 as soon as possible.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Asks about medical community's response regarding safety of the vaccine, particularly addressing concerns over rushed development.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock assures that all necessary safety checks have been completed and continues to monitor the roll-out. He highlights positive reactions from those vaccinated.
Question
Notes the splitting of Essex and Hertfordshire into different tiers but questions why Greater London was treated as a single unit, especially given its economic importance.
Minister reply
Matthew Hancock explains that central London's case rates are rising and surrounding areas with high cases influence it. He emphasises the need for all areas in London to move together based on public health advice.
Tony Lloyd
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Question
The Health Secretary seemed to answer rather dogmatically the question of the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire about lateral flow tests. May I say to him that it does seem reasonable that, as a diagnostic for people to self-isolate, the test has validity, but with its very high number of false negatives, is he seriously recommending that this is the first line of defence for people going into our care homes? If he is, it is a very dangerous proposition on his part.
Minister reply
It is important that we use the right tests in the right circumstances but with the right other conditions. So for instance, there is clear visitor guidance of which testing is one part, but personal protective equipment is another critical part. The nuanced question of the hon. Gentleman is entirely reasonable, but the thing that I find frustrating is the idea that we should discourage people from coming forward for asymptomatic testing when the task is to find as many people as possible who have the virus to get them to isolate.
Nigel Mills
Con
Amber Valley
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for the roll-out of lateral flow tests across Derbyshire. When he does his reassessment on Wednesday, will he be willing to look at more localised geography, perhaps based around hospital catchment areas, and divide the county of Derbyshire between north and south, rather than use the whole county, which is not a very functional geography on the ground?
Minister reply
We are happy to look at the human geographies, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister put it, which is precisely why we have taken the decision today to take parts of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire into tier 3. We also look at the travelling patterns to see where the likelihood of the spread is greatest, and we set out the data on which we take the decision, so I think the answer to my hon. Friend is yes.
Alan Brown
SNP
Central Ayrshire
Question
Contact tracing in Scotland has led the public health professionals to achieve contact rates of up to 95%. Down here, as we know, the job is handed out to privatised companies such as Serco. Serco has a £400 million contract, which it has subcontracted out to 21 further companies. What assurances does the Minister have that there is sufficient co-ordination across these 21 companies and Serco and that everything is under control, rather than adding further layers of complexity?
Minister reply
The good news is that the contact tracing across England is increasing in capacity. It is getting faster and it is finding more and more contacts. The comparison of apples and pears that continues to come from those on the SNP Front Bench does not take into account the fact that if we contact trace in a care home, the contact tracing is much easier, and that if we include that contact tracing in the data, we get different answers.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
Today’s news is deeply sombre, so I ask my right hon. Friend to join me in urging residents of Rutland and Melton to be vigilant because we are also seeing cases rising locally, even in our villages. We have to get rates under control if we are to be decoupled from Leicester city, remain at most in tier 2 in Rutland, and protect ourselves from this new variant. Will he join me in thanking those who are working so hard locally to ready our vaccine hubs in Oakham and Melton for once the vaccine is ready for delivery outside of hospitals?
Minister reply
Yes, of course; absolutely. I am delighted that we are now vaccinating from over 100 different community settings, as well as 70 hospitals across the UK. It is a tribute to the whole vaccine roll-out team, who have done a magnificent job over the last—I was going to say over the last week that the vaccine has been rolling out, but it has been weeks and weeks in the planning before then.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Question
The Secretary of State has rightly set out the very stark picture today—not only of the variant, but of the growing pressures, including the pressures that are likely to be placed on our NHS at this critical time. Will he therefore agree, particularly given the crucial supply chains for the vaccine, for PPE and for the 40 million packages of medicine that go back and forth between ourselves and the EU every month, that the talks must continue and we must not end up in a no-deal outcome, which would be absolutely devastating at the most critical time for our NHS and our country?
Minister reply
The Prime Minister is working hard to see if we can achieve a deal. I hope that there is movement from the European Union so that we can achieve that, but we are ready for any outcome.
Nickie Aiken
Con
Cities of London and Westminster
Question
I am obviously very disappointed by the news that London is going into tier 3, but, having seen the data and spoken to Public Health England in London and to the hospitals in my constituency, I am fully aware of the threat that this awful virus continues to present to us all. Hospitality in particular has done so much to become covid-secure, but, sadly, we are where we are. I think of our hospitals and the amazing job that our NHS staff are doing day in, day out, night in, night out. The acute hospital trusts in my constituency are handling covid cases from across London, and one of the major concerns that they have raised with me is the length of time for which staff must isolate after a positive covid contact. I understand that lateral flow testing in hospitals allows staff to return to work safely after five days, rather than 14. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the roll-out of lateral flow tests will be prioritised in hospitals where cases are increasing?
Minister reply
The short answer is yes. We are rolling out lateral flow testing to find asymptomatic cases in hospitals right across England. We are always looking for ways to reduce the burden of isolation needed for positive contacts.
Warrington North
Question
Christmas is often the busiest period for many businesses, particularly in sectors such as retail and hospitality. The uncertainty created by tiering arrangements chopping and changing at days’ notice has made trading incredibly difficult, even for those places currently allowed to stay open. What support will be provided to businesses affected by the tier system in the months ahead to ensure that any closures mandated by the Secretary of State’s Department over this vital trading period do not leave their doors closed permanently?
Minister reply
We want to support businesses as much as we possibly can. The support that is available—the record sums—has been as outlined by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor. That will of course be available to businesses as we go into tier 3.
Simon Fell
Con
Wycombe
Question
We are delighted to have the first vaccinations rolling out in Furness this week, but we know that information is key to understanding and tackling this virus. With that in mind, will my right hon. Friend consider adding data to the Government’s coronavirus website on the number of people, by cohort, who have been vaccinated and on the number of people who have been infected by this new variant of the virus?
Minister reply
Of course, we will be publishing data on the number of vaccinations done—that is important. Meanwhile, let us all keep getting out there to make the case that the best way to keep you, your loved ones and your community safe is by getting vaccinated when the NHS calls.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Question
Self-isolation is crucial to breaking chains of transmission, but too many people cannot afford to self-isolate when asked to do so, because of the loss of earnings it will mean. In Salford, only 389 out of 1,760 applications for self-isolation payments have been successful to date, meaning that many people are not getting the support they need. Will the Secretary of State now agree to provide everyone who has to self-isolate with the financial support that guarantees they will not be worse off because they have done the right thing?
Minister reply
The principle the hon. Lady outlines is exactly the one we are working to. The £500 self-isolation payment for those on low incomes is a very important part of our approach, and I am glad that hundreds of people in Salford have been able to be reached.
Chris Loder
Con
West Dorset
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend very much for his statement, and I fully understand the difficulties he faces. He will know that I am the Member for West Dorset, a rural seat whose western part is 55 miles away from the commercial centre of Bournemouth, which is the driving force of our tiering in rural Dorset. We have consistently maintained low numbers of cases, and on Friday we had just one person with covid in our county hospital. Although I understand full well that my right hon. Friend has had to consider increasing the tier in different places in the UK today, will he, for Wednesday, consider reductions to tier 1 in areas where that is appropriate, as I believe it is in Dorset?
Minister reply
I will look at this extremely closely after my hon. Friend’s entreaty. I have been noticing that in both West Dorset and Bournemouth the number of cases has been coming down. I say to everybody: stick at it, stick at the rules and do everything you can to reduce the number of transmissions. That is the most likely way of getting into tier 1.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Question
Inquires about contact tracing issues in Southwark schools, citing a college with 20 cases since September. Asks if the Government will fix the system or leave it broken.
Minister reply
Offers to look into individual cases of schools facing issues with contact tracing.
Question
Expresses enthusiasm for vaccine rollouts at hospitals and asks if the Government will ensure swift distribution.
Minister reply
Commits to rolling out vaccines as quickly as possible, highlighting the importance of the vaccination programme in communities like Stoke.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
Question
Warns about potential hospital surges after Christmas and urges reconsideration of relaxation rules.
Minister reply
Urges constituents to take personal responsibility over Christmas, while thanking the MP for support.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
Asks about hospital capacity as social distancing requires fewer beds currently.
Minister reply
Acknowledges current limitations and hopes vaccine roll-out will allow increased capacity, highlighting Nightingale hospitals' role.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Question
Inquires about thresholds for tier system changes based on local data.
Minister reply
Confirms that local data will be used to determine future tier placements, noting Nottingham's improvement.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Question
Asks if local data at granular levels will be used for decision-making on tier changes.
Minister reply
Confirms that local data will be considered in making decisions regarding tier adjustments.
Question
Questions global vaccine access and asks if the Secretary of State will commit to ensuring worldwide vaccination efforts.
Minister reply
Praises UK's contributions to global vaccination efforts, commits to working towards wider distribution.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
Inquires about the impact of Leeds' efforts on tier system placement and requests recognition for their work.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Leeds' progress and indicates that it will be considered in decision-making.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
Highlights issues with the application system for retired healthcare professionals wishing to aid vaccine roll-out.
Minister reply
Commits to investigating and improving the application process.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Question
Inquires about second-dose vaccination scheduling for vulnerable populations, citing personal experience with mass testing.
Minister reply
Explains that invitations will be sent close to the 21-day window from first dose.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
Requests assurance about vaccine roll-out in Cleethorpes.
Minister reply
Commits to working on getting the vaccine to all parts of the country, including Cleethorpes.
Question
Asks for stronger advice on minimizing transmission over Christmas and better financial support for affected sectors.
Minister reply
Confirms extra financial support with tier 3 changes, recommends personal caution.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
Asks for reassurance that the hard work of constituents will be recognised in future tier decisions.
Minister reply
Acknowledges MP's efforts and indicates consideration in decision-making on Wednesday.
Laura Farris
Con
Newbury
Question
It is extremely concerning that more than 1,000 cases of the new variant have been identified in the south-east, but I understand that the vaccine still works. Data published by the ONS today shows that the mortality rate will fall by 84% when all over-70s are vaccinated. Could my right hon. Friend tell the House when he thinks that will be and what it will mean for the tiering system?
Minister reply
Believe me, I would love to be able to answer that question. We do not know, because it depends on the speed of manufacture of the vaccines and the approval or not of the Oxford vaccine by the MHRA.
Tobias Ellwood
Con
Bournemouth East
Question
I echo the request from my hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset (Chris Loder) for Dorset and indeed Bournemouth to be considered to be moved to tier 1. The stats support this, and the hospitality industry would be most grateful. My concern is that letting down our guard for five days during Christmas could be very dangerous indeed.
Minister reply
I take my right hon. Friend’s views on this very seriously. I would say to everybody in Bournemouth and across the country that the best way they can help their area to go into a lower tier is by exercising personal restraint—not seeing the rules as something to push against but rather acting well within them as much as possible.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Question
The Secretary of State talks a lot about testing and tracing but far less about isolating. The shadow Secretary of State made important points that I do not think the Secretary of State addressed. In my city, only 14 people had received the £500 payment two weeks ago.
Minister reply
I am glad to say that thousands of people are receiving the payment. Of course it is aimed at those on the lowest incomes who need the financial support in order to isolate.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
Stoke-on-Trent has now seen its case rate drop to below 300 per 100,000 and boasts one of the highest testing rates in the west midlands. The additional lateral flow tests from the Government mean that we can test up to 25,000 people per week.
Minister reply
Yes. Stoke-on-Trent has had a tough time recently, but the work by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the community testing that is going on in Stoke-on-Trent is very impressive.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Fulham
Question
Can I return to the vaccination of those with terminal illnesses? The wife of one of my constituents, aged 70, who has stage 4 bowel cancer and is receiving palliative care, contacted me at the weekend. If his only priority is being 70 and extremely vulnerable, he is in the fourth cohort for vaccination.
Minister reply
The hon. Member asks a very sensitive and reasonable question. Of course it is right that we should follow the clinical guidance in terms of the order of priority.
Fay Jones
Con
Brecon and Radnorshire
Question
Last week I was absolutely delighted to see the vaccine rolling out across Brecon and Radnorshire. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the vaccine has undergone months of rigorous trials, and that work continues to ensure that other vaccines can be rolled out as quickly, but most importantly as safely, as possible?
Minister reply
Absolutely. My hon. Friend puts it exactly right. We are working very closely with the Welsh NHS to deliver the vaccine right across Wales.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Question
Mass testing in schools is something we have repeatedly called for in order to make sure that they can open safely. I welcome the fact that the Government are rolling out mass testing, but can they go further to ensure that schools can reopen in January and stay open?
Minister reply
I understand the yearning for a vaccine among school staff, and of course it has to be clinically led.
Worcester
Question
Lancashire’s community testing is really starting to ramp up and rapidly increase. Does he agree that community engagement and getting a test with the increasingly available community testing is the thing that gets us all out of tier 3 in South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancs?
Minister reply
I totally agree: do your bit and get a test.
Peter Grant
Con
Glenrothes
Question
Every single unnecessary journey into and out of London and the south-east increases the risk of the virus being transmitted from one part of the United Kingdom to another. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with his colleague the Leader of the House with a view to ensuring that all Members of Parliament can take part in all proceedings by video call, so that none of us has to make unnecessary journeys into London?
Minister reply
I am afraid the answer to that question is a matter for the House rather than me as Health Secretary.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Question
May I take this opportunity to wish my right hon. Friend and the entire ministerial team at the Department of Health and Social Care a very happy Christmas? Is there any indication of when the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine might get approval?
Minister reply
I am tempted to try to give an answer to that question, but it is very much a matter for the MHRA.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
Pubs in tier 2 areas are very heavily regulated environments, and in tier 3 they are completely closed. Nothing like the same restrictions are in place on public transport, retail shops, care homes and other areas where we have seen much more of a spread than in pubs.
Minister reply
Many of the facilities that the hon. Gentleman talks about, such as care homes, are doing unbelievable work to remain covid secure.
Stephen Metcalfe
Con
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Question
I am sure my right hon. Friend will appreciate that this news will be a bitter blow to people across Basildon and Thurrock, but I accept that case numbers are sadly rising rapidly, despite the recent lockdown. Can he assure me that there will be enough rapid tests available for all those who need and want one?
Minister reply
Yes, and I strongly commend my hon. Friend’s leadership locally.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
One of my closest friends, Dan Lass, who I had known for more than 30 years, died of leukaemia last Thursday morning. He was in the United States of America, but I want to ask the Secretary of State about the cancer recovery plan in this country because cancer carries on killing people and many people have ended up not presenting this year.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is quite right to raise this issue. My condolences to him and to all the family and friends of his friend, who is sadly no longer with us. I pay tribute to the way in which the NHS has kept cancer services going during the second peak.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement and the tough decisions he is having to make at the moment. Tier 3 restrictions will be tough on London, but we should not lose sight of the fact that most of the north of England, including my constituency of Keighley and Ilkley, has been under these extra restrictions for an enhanced period of time.
Minister reply
A test and dine scheme is being piloted. It is something we are looking at to try to support the hospitality industry while keeping the virus under control.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Question
The roll-out of the vaccine is welcome news, but there is still a long way to go. Public messaging has been poor throughout the crisis, and that is particularly true for disabled and clinically extremely vulnerable people.
Minister reply
I wish I could do that, but I cannot do so faithfully. What I can do is say is that the majority of people will be vaccinated in the new year and we are working to ensure that the roll-out happens as swiftly as is safely possible.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Question
My right hon. Friend will know how hard the people of Leeds have worked. The right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) made those comments and, indeed, the Treasurer of Her Majesty’s Household, my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew), who is in his place.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend makes the case strongly not only for him but for the Treasurer of Her Majesty’s Household, my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew).
Question
The announcement of the vaccine was very welcome, but like a lot of things with the Government, there is a big difference between what has been promised and spun and what is actually happening on the ground.
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. We have been very clear with the roll-out of the vaccine on the pace at which we can start it—in fact, we started it ahead of when we committed to.
Question
Evidence seems to suggest that when it comes to face coverings on public transport, if everyone wears them, it reduces the spread, but if some people do not, it can increase the spread.
Minister reply
What my hon. Friend says is exactly right.
Question
The Secretary of State heard earlier about my constituent Fred Banning, a 38-year-old father of two who has terminal cancer. For Fred and others in his situation, the vaccine is all about making the best of the time remaining.
Minister reply
I appreciate the sensitivity with which the hon. Lady raises this case.
Question
The Secretary of State has to recognise that the decision in relation to London will have a crippling effect upon the hospitality industry in the capital, not least because this is the time of year when they might most hope to make good the losses that they have already suffered.
Minister reply
I got the gist of it, Madam Deputy Speaker. My hon. Friend is right to express the concerns about the hospitality industry.
Question
Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking all those local authorities, such as Calderdale, that have already come forward to put in place community testing?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes his case, as other West Yorkshire colleagues have today.
Question
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for that warm welcome. Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin), the approach of Essex and Hertfordshire shows that district authorities can be dealt with separately between tiers.
Minister reply
I can absolutely give that commitment and say to the people of Stockport that they have been in restrictions for a long time and have done a great thing in bringing the case rate right down.
Question
People want to spend the Christmas holiday with their loved ones—of course they do—and the message of doing so with care is one that we all must stress, but given the very worrying statistics we have heard today.
Minister reply
The truth is that it all depends on how people behave, and it is very important that we all urge people to behave with great care and responsibility over the Christmas period.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the fantastic work he has done on the vaccine, but may I make a plea to him on behalf of my constituents in Wealden whom I spoke to this weekend? They will struggle to get to some of the hospitals which are over an hour away, so will he do all he can to ensure the vaccine comes into my rural constituency? The other bit of good news is my right hon. Friend saying from the Dispatch Box that the tiers will no longer be at county level. My Wealden residents have gone above and beyond to keep infection rates down; they must not pay the price for what is happening outside of Wealden so can we ensure that their tier remains the same or is reduced?
Minister reply
I will take a look at the numbers in Wealden in particular. I am concerned about the rate of increase in other parts of the south-east and will have to look very carefully at that case. On the vaccine roll-out, of course we want the vaccine in all communities across the country. I am delighted that today we managed to start the GP roll-out, which means that we have been able to get vaccine out of the major centres and major hospitals and into over 100 different local communities, and I will check whether Wealden is on the list to make sure everybody in Wealden can get their vaccine at the appropriate time.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Question
I hope the Secretary of State recognises the sacrifices Geordies have made to successfully reduce transmission rates here, but I want to ask about vaccine prioritisation. Public Health England has reported that those with learning disabilities have covid-19 deaths up to six times higher than those of the general population, and it is obviously extremely difficult to maintain covid-security in care homes whose residents cannot understand social distancing, yet I am told that they are being deprioritised for the vaccine because Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidelines prioritise care homes for the elderly only, and that is interpreted as being those over 80. Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm whether that is the case, and will he give greater flexibility to local public health authorities to reflect risk?
Minister reply
Nobody has been deprioritised: the nation has been prioritised according to clinical need, and that is rightly a judgment for the JCVI. It has of course looked into the research and data the hon. Lady rightly raises and has come to the view that the level of risk for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable is akin to the level of risk for those who are 70 to 75 years of age, and that is the reason for the prioritisation decision it has taken.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Question
Despite all the sacrifices we have made in South Shields, we are one of the top 50 coronavirus hotspots. That is not surprising since centralised contact tracing is failing us. Just today, it has been revealed that contact tracing companies subcontracted by Serco are using inexperienced and unqualified people to gather vital clinical information. Will the Secretary of State publish a list of those companies and allow my local public health experts to take control of the situation?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady’s local public health experts are already working with the national system. I gently say that instead of trying to divide people with this public-private split, as the Opposition seem desperate to do, the best way to get the case rate down in South Shields is for us all to get on the same page with public health messaging. If for every time she asked me a question about Serco, she asked me a question about how we could work together to keep people alive and safe in South Tyneside, South Shields would be in a better place.
Question
Will the Secretary of State confirm that London is going into tier 3 because it is failing on the five tests that have been set out on tiering, and will he also confirm that Redcar and Cleveland have considerably improved across all five tests since the tier 3 decision was taken? The Secretary of State can make my wish come true, because all I want for Christmas is tier 2.
Minister reply
How can I reject an entreaty like that? My hon. Friend makes a very seasonal request. We will be looking at the situation very closely come Wednesday, and we will see what is in Santa’s bag.
Zarah Sultana
Lab
Coventry South
Question
I was really proud to see that Coventry’s NHS staff administered the first coronavirus vaccinations in the country, but those staff have been let down by the Government. They were promised free parking throughout the pandemic, only for charges to be reintroduced in June, as they were at many other hospitals across the country. Only after I handed in a petition, wrote to the Prime Minister and secured a Westminster Hall debate was free parking reinstated for permit holders at Coventry’s hospital, but it is still denied to staff who do not have permits. Will the Government live up to their promise and provide NHS trusts with the funding for free parking for all their staff?
Minister reply
I will just answer the first bit. I was absolutely thrilled to see Coventry delivering the first vaccination with the clinically approved vaccine in the world. It made my heart sing, and I am so glad that we managed to do that. With the help of the international scientists, the NHS and the regulator, we have made such progress. That really put Coventry on the map, and I hope that the hon. Lady is proud.
Question
Will the Secretary of State thank Stroud and Gloucestershire health and care teams, who are working to the point of exhaustion? This second wave is proving to be quite difficult in a number of ways. Separately, I welcome the developments in testing and vaccines. Would the Secretary of State be willing to get PHE to develop more pilots and work on roadmaps for the wedding industry and other struggling sectors, so that we can benefit from that as quickly as possible in the new year?
Minister reply
The best thing we can do for the wedding industry is to try to get the vaccine rolled out as fast as possible to protect people, so that this virus no longer kills as many as it sadly does today. I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to all those in Gloucestershire, including in south Gloucestershire, who are working so hard. There has been a very difficult spike in the virus. Thankfully, it is coming down now, and I hope to see the number of hospitalisations in her area reducing. While that is happening, we have to get on with the roll-out of the vaccine, which is a 24/7 job. I pay tribute to and thank all the NHS staff who are working so hard to make that happen.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care expressed concern about rising case rates and hospital admissions. He questioned whether tier three restrictions are sufficient in Kent, given the virus's rapid spread. The MP criticised the contact tracing system, noting its ineffectiveness in some boroughs despite high costs. Ashworth urged for better financial support for those who must isolate and more accurate testing methods, particularly regarding care homes. Concerning the new variant, he called for regular updates on its impact and stressed the importance of improving contact tracing and isolation measures. Additionally, Ashworth raised the issue of vaccine access for terminally ill patients like Fred Banning.
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