Covid-19: Winter Plan

Graham Stringer Lab

Blackley

Question

Mr Stringer asked the Prime Minister whether he was confident that the new tier system will reduce transmission below R=1. He further inquired about how local leaders would be involved in decision-making processes and highlighted the importance of testing, tracing, and isolating to ensure compliance.

Minister reply

The Prime Minister responded by emphasising that rapid turnaround tests were a critical tool to achieve control over virus spread under tiered systems. Acknowledging the challenge, he committed to strengthening enforcement measures to ensure compliance with restrictions.

Diana Johnson Lab

Kingston upon Hull North

Question

Ms Johnson questioned whether the Government was prepared for another national lockdown should the R-rate rise above 1. She expressed concern over the economic impact and asked about plans to support businesses if this scenario were to occur.

Minister reply

The Prime Minister assured that detailed assessments would be conducted, ensuring a four-nation approach. He emphasised the Government's commitment to providing support for businesses during any necessary adjustments to restrictions.

Gregory Meakin Con

Lincoln

Question

Mr Meakin inquired about financial assistance for local authorities tasked with enforcing stricter tiers and questioned whether these measures would cause a strain on resources, potentially leading to non-compliance.

Minister reply

The Prime Minister acknowledged the need for additional support and committed to working closely with local authorities. He emphasised that uniform rules across England were essential but also recognised the importance of collaboration and understanding local circumstances.

Nia Griffith Lab

Llanelli

Question

Ms Griffith raised concerns about economic impacts on businesses, particularly those not covered by current support schemes. She asked for clarity on new economic measures being planned.

Minister reply

The Prime Minister confirmed that the Government would continue to monitor and adapt its approach based on evolving circumstances. He stated a commitment to providing necessary financial aid to ensure businesses can navigate these challenging times.

Keir Starmer Lab

Holborn and St Pancras

Question

The shadow Chancellor welcomed progress on vaccine development but raised concerns about the proposed three-tier system. He questioned which local areas would be in each tier, how long they will remain there, whether there is an economic package to accompany these tiers, and if test, trace, and isolate capabilities are adequate.

Minister reply

The Prime Minister responded by acknowledging the shadow Chancellor's support while stressing that the three-tier system is necessary for managing virus spread effectively. He clarified that tier assignments will be made based on local data such as case detection rates, positivity rates, and NHS pressures. The government aims to use lateral flow tests to improve isolation practices and ensure public adherence to restrictions.

Damian Green

Question

Welcoming the end of blanket national lockdown, Damian Green asked that new tiers be imposed at a local level rather than regional for more fairness.

Minister reply

The Prime Minister appreciated the wisdom expressed by Damian Green's constituent but disagreed on the imposition of tier-level restrictions. He emphasised the necessity to consider regions large enough while respecting borough boundaries due to disease spread patterns.

Ian Blackford SNP

Ross, Skye and Lochaber

Question

Welcomed the encouraging news about vaccine development but criticised the Government's exclusion of freelancers, sole traders, and recently self-employed individuals from economic support. Called for a financial package to be put in place before Christmas for these three million people who have been excluded.

Minister reply

Acknowledged the difficulties faced by the self-employed and mentioned £13.5 billion has gone towards supporting them, including £1.57 billion investment in arts and culture.

Mark Harper Con

Fittleworth

Question

Asked for an outline of expected impact of restrictions on covid, non-covid health impacts, and livelihoods.

Minister reply

Said many points were answered in his statement and the objective is to get the economy moving again by dealing with the virus.

Edward Davey Lib Dem

Kingston and Surbiton

Question

Asked whether no care home will be required or pressurised to admit anyone from an NHS hospital who has tested positive for covid.

Minister reply

Explained the regime put in place over summer ensuring people with a positive test are isolated before moving into a CQC-approved isolation facility.

Jack Brereton Lab

Stoke-on-Trent North

Question

Asked for support to continue being given to local health and council services so they do not exit lockdown at the highest tier.

Minister reply

Paid tribute to Stoke's efforts in reducing cases and said decisions will be based on latest data.

Sammy Wilson DUP

East Antrim

Question

Questioned whether statement should alarm people given it denies basic freedoms, drives millions into poverty, and instils fear.

Minister reply

Stated the first duty of any Government is to keep citizens safe.

Edward Leigh Con

Gainsborough

Question

Asked for reassurance that healthy outdoor sports or religious services will never be abolished again and about Christmas carols.

Minister reply

Hoped no further national lockdown would be needed, but stressed toughening up tier 3 to prevent this.

Liz Saville-Roberts PC

Dwyfor Meirionnydd

Question

Asked for a sufficient allocation of vaccines based on need in Wales.

Minister reply

Stated the UK vaccination programme will vaccinate fairly according to clinical need.

Julian Sturdy

Question

Said it would feel unfair if York remains in high tier restrictions despite a lower covid rate. Asked for hope that self-discipline and resilience are rewarded.

Minister reply

Agreed values should be rewarded, welcomed the case rate coming down but wanted to see more data before final decisions.

Caroline Lucas Green

Brighton, Pavilion

Question

The tougher tiers need to deliver sustained reductions in transmission by improving the test and trace system. The Government needs to pay people more when necessary, offer hotel accommodation if needed, fix the app so that people told to self-isolate can qualify for support, and give the unfairly deemed ineligible self-employed some hope.

Minister reply

The testing regime is expanding rapidly and contact tracing is improving. The Minister emphasises the importance of the test and trace system but does not commit to specific measures or funding increases.

Neil Hudson Con

Epping Forest

Question

Will my right hon. Friend work across Government to look at reopening outdoor education centres as soon as possible for residential visits, so that whole cohorts of young children do not miss out on this vital and life-affirming educational opportunity?

Minister reply

The Minister acknowledges the importance of the outdoor education sector and expresses willingness to work with the MP.

Stephen Farry SDLP

North Down

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that planning around the Christmas season includes the Irish Government, focusing on travel arrangements and household mixing guidance?

Minister reply

The Minister confirms ongoing conversations with devolved nations including Northern Ireland and acknowledges the importance of family ties between the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Tom Hunt Lab

Ipswich

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that having Ipswich at the forefront of both testing and vaccinations will be a real boost to Ipswich residents?

Minister reply

The Minister agrees with the importance of rapid testing and vaccination hubs for Ipswich and expresses confidence in the NHS's ability to roll out vaccines should they be approved.

Barry Sheerman Lab

Huddersfield

Question

Will my right hon. Friend impart a question to the Prime Minister, begging him at this late stage to change his mind regarding restrictions? Huddersfield has worked hard under tier system but needs only a few more weeks to see results.

Minister reply

The tiered system is calibrated carefully based on lessons from previous lockdowns and tiers. Tier 3 will be tougher because of the experience in places like Huddersfield.

Damian Collins Con

Folkestone and Hythe

Question

Will grassroots sports return from 3 December in all three tiers? Will variances be considered across big counties and regions?

Minister reply

Outdoor sports will reopen but the Minister acknowledges that geographic considerations are important for deciding on tier application.

Kevan Jones Lab

Durham

Question

What reasons underlie the curfew measures when there is no science behind it? Millions of jobs have been lost and will be lost in pub and hospitality sectors.

Minister reply

The restrictions are to protect people’s ability to go to work, especially education. Later at night social distancing declines leading to increased transmission.

Liam Fox Con

North Somerset

Question

What progress has been made towards integrating lockdown measures and testing at airports? What encouragement can be given to Bristol international airport in the constituency?

Minister reply

The Minister acknowledges increased testing capacity and works with the airline industry, including regional airports like Bristol, for a better regime.

Stuart McDonald Scottish Labour

CAML

Question

How does the right hon. Gentleman justify not applying the same uplift to those on legacy benefits, sick or disabled who have incurred additional costs and hardships due to Government advice?

Minister reply

The Minister acknowledges many in these circumstances are also in receipt of universal credit which has seen a significant increase alongside furlough arrangements.

Graham Brady Con

Altrincham and Sale West

Question

May I return to the question asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean? The Secretary of State said that he recognises the damage done by these restrictions. Will he go further and publish the Government’s assessment of what the impact is in both economic and health terms? Will he ensure that on Thursday, when it becomes clear which regions are going into which tiers, the Government publish the exact criteria that will be used to make that judgment?

Minister reply

Yes, we will publish the statistics that we look at to make the judgments. An element of judgment is important in making these decisions, but we will publish the data on which they are taken. My hon. Friend asked about the economic impact assessment, and I will raise that point with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

Jonathan Edwards PC

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Question

The news of the successful development of three vaccines is to be warmly welcomed because it offers light at the end of the tunnel. However, distribution will be a huge logistical challenge. What guarantee can he give that the Welsh Government will receive any additional resources they require to meet the task at hand?

Minister reply

The vaccines programme is a UK programme and the costs of the roll-out incur Barnett consequentials across the whole of the UK. We are working closely with the NHS in Wales to make sure that happens as smoothly as possible.

Richard Drax Con

Mid Dorset and North Poole

Question

As my right hon. Friend knows, I do not support lockdowns, tiered or otherwise, but I welcome the move to get these vaccines. That is very good news. As I understand it, the Government’s main weapon is test and trace. May I suggest that test and quick result is equally important? When will the Government be able to tell the House when the whole country can be tested and get a quick result?

Minister reply

I hope that the system for people to test daily if they have been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive, as the Prime Minister has, instead of having to isolate, will be in place nationwide from January.

Kate Osborne Lab

Jarrow

Question

With the infection rates still high across the north-east, it is looking likely that the region will come out of this national lockdown in a worse position than it was in going in. When the tier restrictions were last implemented, local leaders had to fight the Government for a fair amount of funding for our region. Can the Secretary of State assure us that this time the north will not be left behind again? In line with their levelling up agenda, will the Government ensure that all businesses and people receive the correct level of financial support?

Minister reply

Yes, there will be financial support to the councils that are in higher-tier areas, alongside the huge amount of financial support to individuals through furlough and the increase in universal credit, and to businesses.

Caroline Nokes Con

Romsey and Southampton North

Question

Physical and mental wellbeing go hand in hand, and both are under attack from this virus. I welcome my right hon. Friend’s comments on outdoor sport, but at this time of year, it is the fitness studios, Pilates studios and dance studios that are crucial to keep people active. What reassurance can he give the House that, even in areas that are in a higher tier, every effort will be made to ensure that people can keep active?

Minister reply

I can give my right hon. Friend exactly that assurance because gyms will be able to reopen in all tiers.

Ruth Cadbury Lab

Brentford and Isleworth

Question

Councils and health trusts cannot roll out rapid testing for vulnerable groups, employ, train and enforce in the way described by the Prime Minister and roll out the vaccination programme without significant additional resources. The Army has been helping with the rapid testing in Liverpool, but will the Government adequately resource local authorities and local health trusts to deliver what is needed?

Minister reply

Further funding will come forward for those areas in higher restrictions because of the amount of work that we all need to do together.

Karl McCartney Con

Lincoln

Question

Freelancers and directors of limited companies in Lincoln and across the UK have had a particularly hard year, with many of them receiving next to no financial support from the Government yet. While today’s announcements are welcome and we are moving in a positive direction, many will still have to wait several months before small businesses can return to some form of normality. Will my right hon. Friend urge his close friend the Chancellor to provide grant funding for those individuals and businesses?

Minister reply

I would be happy to look at that myself and to take it up with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

Dan Jarvis Lab

Barnsley North

Question

The Government have committed to level up the country, and in particular the north of England. Given the risk that covid will level us down, what assurances can the Secretary of State give that in Wednesday’s spending review, the Chancellor will reform the Green Book, replace the local growth fund with the shared prosperity fund and deliver the investment needed to tackle regional inequalities?

Minister reply

The Treasury has already updated its Green Book, which is a significant step. The levelling-up agenda is even more critical after the pandemic than it was before.

Harriett Baldwin Con

West Worcestershire

Question

I heard the Secretary of State say some welcome things about sport. Given the importance of maintaining fitness to the ability to deal with this illness, can he confirm whether people will be able to go to indoor swimming pools and play golf?

Minister reply

Yes, golf is back. Outdoor sport will be available under all the tiers.

Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem

North East Fife

Question

I welcome the plans in place to test students, enabling them to travel home for Christmas, and I commend the work of the University of St Andrews, in my constituency, which has stepped in to facilitate that. What engagement is being had with devolved nations about the return and testing of students in January?

Minister reply

Yes, this is a really important subject to get right. The use of testing will make it easier for students safely to go home and then safely to return to university.

Kate Griffiths Lab

Wirral South

Question

So many businesses and jobs in my constituency are based in pubs and the brewing industry, which are not set up to provide food and without further support will struggle to make it through December. May I ask the Prime Minister, through my right hon. Friend, to ensure that any support provided to wet pubs also includes the wider brewing industry?

Minister reply

Yes, of course. Everybody knows that Burton is inescapably linked to high-quality beer. My heart goes out to the hospitality industry which has been hit so hard.

Derek Twigg Lab

Widnes and Halewood

Question

Twigg expressed concern about small businesses receiving little to no support, despite the Government's promises. He also highlighted a significant drop in GP referrals for various health issues.

Minister reply

Hancock announced grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses forced to close by restrictions and backdated grants of up to £2,100 per month for tier 2 and tier 3 areas.

Rob Butler

Question

Butler asked if the Government would base future restrictions on truly local needs and evidence.

Minister reply

Hancock confirmed that they will look at precise data, including Aylesbury's data, to make informed decisions.

Chris Stephens

Question

Stephens thanked public sector workers for their efforts during the pandemic but questioned why they should face a three-year pay freeze.

Minister reply

Hancock acknowledged the significant economic consequences of the actions taken and emphasised that the country must work together to overcome these challenges.

Greg Clark

Question

Clark suggested advancing some of the record-breaking science funding to help life-saving research funded by charitable funds continue despite decreased fundraising income.

Minister reply

Hancock indicated his support for such an initiative but deferred giving a specific answer until after the Chancellor's speech on Wednesday.

Richard Burgon Lab

Leeds East

Question

Burgon criticised the Government’s handling of the pandemic, highlighting that cases skyrocketed due to ignoring scientists’ advice. He argued for responsibility taking and better planning to prevent a third wave.

Minister reply

Hancock acknowledged the study on impact of restrictions and highlighted mass testing's success in Liverpool.

Felicity Buchan

Question

Buchan requested assurance that London will be assigned the lowest tier possible, given its lower case rate compared to other regions.

Minister reply

Hancock assured Buchan that London's tier would be based on necessary and appropriate public health evidence.

Alex Davies-Jones Lab

Pontypridd

Question

Davies-Jones questioned the Prime Minister's commitment to the Union, highlighting a failure to provide financial support during flooding and coronavirus.

Minister reply

Johnson reassured her that they are investing heavily in infrastructure across the UK, including Wales.

Bim Afolami

Question

Afolami enquired about plans for sports facilities to remain open during winter in all tiers.

Minister reply

Johnson confirmed that gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools will be open and organised sport can resume.

Charlotte Nichols Lab

Warrington North

Question

Nichols highlighted the substantial meal requirement under tier 2 and asked for a sector deal to support pubs.

Minister reply

Johnson acknowledged the importance of support plans for businesses but stressed the need to wait until Thursday to ensure correct data.

Gary Sambrook

Question

In Birmingham, the data suggests that the biggest driver for transmission is household mixing. With that in mind, will the Prime Minister give serious consideration to allowing places such as Buzz Bingo and Hollywood Bowl in Great Park, in the Northfield constituency, to open in all three tiers—not just to save jobs and those businesses, but so that family and friends can socialise in a covid-secure way?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is totally right to support bingo halls and bowling alleys. They will be open, as he knows, in tiers 1 and 2. Alas, we cannot yet do it in tier 3, but there is now a route out of these restrictions for communities through mass testing.

Feryal Clark Lab

Enfield North

Question

Schools across Enfield North face mounting costs associated with enhanced cleansing regimes, procurement of laptops for virtual learning and skyrocketing bills for staff absence and supply teachers as a result of teachers having to self-isolate. What additional funding and financial support is being made available to schools to support them with those additional covid-related costs?

Minister reply

The hon. Lady is completely right about the heroic achievement of schools and teachers in keeping going. The Government have put about £1 billion into supporting catch-up funds for schools, and another £96 million is now going in for one-on-one tutorials to help kids who are in danger of falling behind.

Scott Benton

Question

The Government’s support packages for cultural venues throughout this pandemic have provided a lifeline for many attractions in my constituency. Will the Prime Minister join me in reopening the Blackpool Tower ballroom and launching a campaign to encourage people to holiday here in the UK next year?

Minister reply

Like many of us, I have spent happy hours in the Blackpool Tower ballroom, and it would be a fine thing to see Blackpool open up again as fast as possible. Mass testing does offer a route forward for Blackpool and all its attractions.

Chi Onwurah Lab

Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Question

Small Business Saturday is only a couple of days after the lifting of this lockdown, but small businesses do not know how or whether they will be able to trade. What per head economic support will the Prime Minister provide to local authorities to help small businesses make it through to the promised land of covid-free vaccines?

Minister reply

The local authorities have been given about £4.6 billion so far to support them through the pandemic and to help them to support hard-hit businesses in their areas, and that is on top of a £200 billion package of support.

Bob Blackman Con

Harrow East

Question

I understand that my right hon. Friend is going to require London to be in one regional tier. However, as at the end of last week, the rate of infection in the worst affected borough was at 372 per 100,000, but in the least affected area it was at 125 per 100,000. What will drive which tier London goes into—the position in the worst affected area, the middle, or the least affected area?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend will have to wait until the announcements by the Health Secretary on Thursday about exactly who goes into which tier. The point about London is that although it is very diverse and massive—650 square miles or so—it is held together by a very dense mass transit system, making it quite difficult to separate one bit of London from another.

Kirsten Oswald

Question

Whatever tier of protection, people expect frontline workers to get the support they need to keep themselves and their colleagues safe. In response to a judicial review initiated by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, the High Court ruled that the UK Government were wrong in not extending health and safety protections to gig economy workers. Will the Prime Minister ensure that this is corrected?

Minister reply

We will study the judgment and take appropriate action to protect workers.

Aaron Bell

Question

I ask the Prime Minister to join me in congratulating Cobra Biologics in Newcastle-under-Lyme, who have been part of the Oxford project. Does he agree that the fact that the vaccines are so close now is a reason why we should redouble our efforts to observe the guidance and be responsible with the extra permissions we will get over December?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend completely sums up the strategy that we need now, just as we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now is the moment when it is vital that we concentrate on the road ahead and do not veer off one way or the other.

Daniel Zeichner Lab

Cambridge

Question

The Prime Minister failed to answer the question from the Leader of Opposition about the extent to which local areas would be consulted on what tier they would be returned to. Will he clarify what exactly the criteria are that will be used to make these decisions?

Minister reply

With great respect to the hon. Gentleman, perhaps that was one of the answers I gave that was mysteriously truncated in the course of my giving it. I think I said pretty clearly that the criteria we would use to decide who went into which tier would be case detection rates in all groups, case detection rates in the over-60s, the rate at which cases are rising or falling, positivity rates, and pressure on the NHS.

Desmond Swayne Con

New Forest West

Question

'He loved Big Brother.' The last ruler that told us how we may or may not celebrate Christmas was Oliver Cromwell. It didn’t well, did it?

Minister reply

My right hon. Friend is completely right in his basic instincts and fundamental libertarian yearnings, which I also share. I love Christmas; the trouble is that the people of this country can see a real risk if we blow it with a big get-together at Christmas. They want a cautious and balanced approach.

Chris Bryant Lab

Rhondda and Ogmore

Question

We had terrible flooding in Rhondda which led to a landslide from a coal tip, which could all too easily have landed on top of people’s houses. We need £100 million. So far, the Prime Minister has promised one Member of this House to passport the money, in February. He promised me in June that this was going to be sorted. Can he now say we are going to get that money on Wednesday?

Minister reply

This is a matter for the Welsh Labour Government in Wales to deal with, but I understand the fundamental inability of the Welsh Labour Government to deal with so many matters that concern the people of Rhondda, and we will do what we can to address the hon. Gentleman’s point.

Richard Graham

Question

Can the Prime Minister tell us when the limits for spectators at spectator sports and business events will be set? Most importantly, what does my right hon. Friend think the chances are of getting the over-80s and the most vulnerable vaccinated before Christmas?

Minister reply

We are optimistic but we cannot be confident at this stage that we will get any vaccine before Christmas that we can deploy at scale.

Christine Jardine Lib Dem

Edinburgh West

Question

Many businesses and people in my constituency of Edinburgh West are still completely excluded from Government support. Can the Prime Minister assure us that his Government will address the issue of those millions of people who have been excluded?

Minister reply

We hope that nobody has been excluded. There is a massive package of support, including Barnett consequentials for Scotland running to many billions, with £13.5 billion for the self-employed alone.

Anthony Mangnall

Question

I know that the whole House will want to join me in sending our condolences and thoughts to the two crew members of the Joanna C, which sank at sea this weekend. With regards to today’s announcement, will the Prime Minister make the desire to get the R level to 1 a time-specific objective, or a permanent one?

Minister reply

I very much echo my hon. Friend’s tribute to the sailors lost at sea. My hon. Friend is right to focus on the R. We want to get it down and keep it down, if possible for good.

Geraint Davies

Question

Wales is already out of its successful circuit-breaker. When England comes out of lockdown into a tiered system, will the Prime Minister ensure that people who live in tiers 2 and 3 are not in a position to make non-essential travel out of those regions into other English regions or into Wales, in order to contain the spread of the transmission of the disease?

Minister reply

If the hon. Gentleman looks at the guidance on travel in tiers 2 and 3, he will see that it sets out clearly that in tier 2 people should reduce the number of journeys that they make and avoid travelling into tier 3 areas, and that in tier 3 they should avoid travelling out of the area altogether. There is more detail in the guidance, which he might care to study.

Richard Holden Con

Basildon and Billericay

Question

I welcome the changes today for gyms, God and golf, opening in all tiers, but will the Prime Minister confirm that the hospitality sector, forced to close in tier 2 and tier 3 areas, will continue to receive grant support in the future?

Minister reply

Yes, indeed. I can tell my hon. Friend that local restrictions support grants are still available—£3,000 for every 28 days that a business is forced to close.

Cat Smith Lab

Lancaster and Wyre

Question

Under the previous tiering system, my constituents in Lancaster and Wyre were frustrated that, although they had infection rates at the bottom of the Lancashire table of infections, they were bound by the rest of the county when it came to the tiering system. Will the Prime Minister reassure my constituents and businesses that operate in my constituency that district councils will be taken into account and consulted when deciding which tiers we are going into?

Minister reply

I very much sympathise with the hon. Lady’s constituents in Lancaster and Wyre, and I thank them for the efforts that they have gone to in helping to bring the virus down in their area. It is very difficult, as I said earlier, to draw up the boundaries of these regions in a way that is satisfactory, but I hope that people will work together to get the test, to kick covid out and to drive down the virus, thereby—hopefully—to reduce the restrictions in their area.

Craig Whittaker

Question

Will my right hon. Friend tell us exactly what the criteria will be for moving up and down the tiered system, and how often a review of each area will take place?

Minister reply

Yes. The criteria are as I have set out a couple of times now. The areas will be reviewed every 14 days.

Mary Foy Lab

City of Durham

Question

While the Prime Minister might hope that coronavirus will take the day off this Christmas, key workers in prisons, local authorities and emergency services will be working hard to keep vital services running. Despite that, the Chancellor is apparently set to freeze their pay. Will the Prime Minister order the Chancellor to reverse that decision, or do key workers need to set up unproven personal protective equipment companies if they want to receive Government money?

Minister reply

I thank prison workers and all who have done an incredible job in fighting covid and helping the country to fight covid over the last few months. I think the public understand the need to keep the pressure down on public spending at the moment. We have had inflation-busting pay rises previously, but, as the Chancellor will be setting out, the economic situation is not easy as a result of what this country has been going through. We will ensure that prison workers are among the very first to be able to use the lateral flow testing system to help them get the virus down in their line of work.

Robert Halfon

Question

I strongly support what the Prime Minister has said today. He will know that despite the strong financial support for businesses, many businesses in my constituency of Harlow have really struggled. Therefore, as well as paying tribute to Harlow’s small businesses, may I urge him to ensure that he takes into consideration the really tough—sometimes devastating—effects on small businesses in future decisions on covid?

Minister reply

I thank my right hon. Friend for what he does to champion small businesses in Harlow. They are the backbone of our economy, which is why the Government have done everything we can to keep businesses going, including through the furlough system, the grants of £3,000 per month for businesses forced to close, and backdated grants for businesses in tiers 2 and 3 that have been affected by reduced demand. I mentioned earlier the support for businesses through local authorities. That is about £1.1 billion of the £4.6 billion. He will have heard me mention many times the reductions in business rates and VAT that will go on until next year, and plenty of schemes with loans and grants to help small business. I have no doubt that that investment will be repaid by growth and dynamism next year as those businesses bounce back.

Bill Esterson Lab

Sefton Central

Question

The Prime Minister said that he plans to extend mass testing. Some 2,000 military personnel were needed to deliver mass testing in Liverpool, and they were not able to extend it to the rest of the five boroughs in the city region. They are now due to return to other duties. Meanwhile, other public sector workers are flat out on the crisis already, so what is the plan for rolling out mass testing? Would it not be better to concentrate on getting contact tracing right?

Minister reply

The advantage of mass testing is that it is instant. Contact tracing by any system takes 24 hours or so to get the result to people. Mass testing can tell people whether they are infectious within 15 minutes. The Army has done a fantastic job in Liverpool and will continue to be very valuable as we roll it out.

Alun Cairns

Question

The Prime Minister has given a clear policy direction, together with the rationale behind the changes about to be introduced. People will be particularly pleased that spectators can return to sporting events. Will he share the scientific evidence and thinking behind this with the Welsh Government, in the hope that my constituents can benefit from the same privileges that will be available in England?

Minister reply

Yes, indeed; we will share all the relevant scientific evidence with my right hon. Friend and the House.

David Linden

Question

Showpeople who run our fairs and showgrounds have been adhering to lockdown rules since March, but because they do not have fixed premises, they are not eligible for rates relief or many other aspects of financial support. Will the Prime Minister agree to meet me and the Showmen’s Guild to look at how we can support people who run our fairs and showgrounds?

Minister reply

The hon. Gentleman will have to forgive me; I think that was a request to meet him. I am very happy to ensure that his request is taken up at the appropriate ministerial level. I think his question was about support for those who have suffered during lockdown. I am more than happy to do what I can to help.

Bill Wiggin

Question

I thank Tom Keith-Roach of AstraZeneca for producing a vaccine that, when fairly compared, is actually 90% effective. Will my right hon. Friend revisit the restrictions that he is proposing today if the vaccine is approved in the coming days?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to be optimistic about the AstraZeneca vaccine. The trouble is that it may not be deployed or, indeed, deployable on a rapid enough timescale to allow us to dispense with the kind of restraints that we need to employ. The risk is that we would simply see a surge in the virus and a devastating impact on communities before we got those shots into people’s arms.

Liz Twist Lab

Blaydon and Consett

Question

My constituents in Blaydon, along with others across the north-east, have been working really hard to stop the spread of coronavirus. Our councils have responded magnificently, too, but questions still remain about the funding for the more effective local test and trace, additional support for businesses already in tier 2 or 3 before the shutdown and funding for the local roll-out of the vaccination programme. Will the Prime Minister ensure that funding is now made available urgently to local authorities to meet these costs?

Minister reply

Indeed. We will make sure that we support local authorities, which will clearly be playing an important role in rolling out the vaccine. As I said, we have already given £4.6 billion to support local authorities. They will continue to play a crucial role, as will the NHS, the Army and other bodies.

Dehenna Davison

Question

I am incredibly grateful to the Prime Minister for sticking to his word and ending the national lockdown on 2 December as promised. Looking ahead to the new tiered system, I have been speaking to hospitality businesses today that very much welcome the changes to the curfew but just want the Prime Minister’s reassurance that additional support packages will remain in place if they are to go into tier 2 or 3.

Minister reply

I thank my hon. Friend, who is entirely right to support the hospitality industry in her community, and, of course, support packages will remain in place.

Liam Byrne Lab

Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North

Question

On Friday, I met online with nurses in Birmingham who said that they had never seen so much death on the wards. They have had to bid goodbye to colleagues who have left the hospital in hearses. Many are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. We owe it to them to play by the rules to save our NHS, but we have to save livelihoods, too. I have read the action plan that the Prime Minister has published. There is one mention of the self-employed on page 39, but in the west midlands, half the self-employed are not eligible for the Government support scheme—that is 121,000 people. They are not going to be helped by VAT cuts, bounce back loans or the art and culture schemes. What they need is eligibility for the self-employment scheme, so will the Prime Minister bring forward changes to the scheme, or is he hell-bent on starving our entrepreneurs this Christmas?

Minister reply

Of course not, and I feel very much for those who are in a difficult position. We have spent £13.5 billion supporting the self-employed so far—I think possibly more by now. Universal credit remains there and the increase in universal credit is also intended to help those in tough times, as well as all the other provision that I have mentioned. But the best thing we can do for all self-employed people is to get our communities and our country moving again, and this winter package offers the best way forward.

Danny Kruger Reform

East Wiltshire

Question

A localised tiered approach is definitely the best way forward, and in Wiltshire, we very much look forward to going back into what I hope will be the lowest level of restrictions. Will my right hon. Friend commit to publishing very clear indicators so that local leaders know what they need to do in order to exit down the tiers and eventually get out of the restrictions altogether?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend will have seen or heard several times the criteria that we are using to decide which tiers people should go into. The inverse is obviously true and everybody now has several exit routes. There is obviously the vaccine and obeying the tiering system scrupulously, but also the possibility now of mass testing—get a test as a community, kick covid out and reduce the restrictions you face.

Vicky Foxcroft Lab

Lewisham North

Question

On 12 October, I asked the Prime Minister if he would ensure that British Sign Language was available at future press conferences. He said: 'the point is registered.'—[Official Report, 12 October 2020; Vol. 682, c. 39.] Registered, but not delivered. Six weeks since that question and eight months since the start of the pandemic, there is still no progress on a sign language interpreter. Will the Prime Minister meet me and others, who rely on sign language interpretation, to work out a solution so that Government communication is inclusive of all disabled people?

Minister reply

I certainly will make sure that the hon. Member’s delegation is properly received and that we try to come up with a solution.

Stephen Hammond

Question

Prime Minister, you will know more than anyone else in this House that London is a wonderful diverse city. Many Londoners will welcome much of your statement. However, we are not a single homogenous unit. So can I have your reassurance that when considering the tier system, you will look at the regulations, consider London borough by borough and not treat us all as one unit?

Minister reply

Alas, the virus is no respecter of borough boundaries, as I understand things. My hon. Friend is, of course, totally right in his analysis. The incidence is different in different parts of the city, but there are many things that unite London and encourage transmission across its vast network and I am afraid that is still I think the most sensible way of dealing with it.

Barbara Keeley

Question

People living in care homes need visitors. The plans to test family members so they can visit are welcome, but there is a big issue with insurance and the need for care homes to have indemnity if they experience a covid outbreak after visits. Care homes are already struggling financially and they should not be left facing ruinous legal fees because they tried to do the right thing and facilitate safe visits. So will the Prime Minister commit to extending the indemnity to care homes, which the NHS already has, plus financial support to help the care sector to pay for spiralling insurance premiums?

Minister reply

I will certainly study the hon. Member’s suggestion, but the best way forward is for care homes to take advantage of the testing system we have in place: not just lateral flow, but PCR—polymerase chain reaction—testing, too. That is the way to check that employees are not spreading it and of course to stop employees going from care home to care home.

James Sunderland

Question

International travel is vital for our recovery, not least in the aviation, hospitality, leisure and business sectors. Has the Prime Minister given any thought to the utility of having vaccination stamps in passports, or an equivalent scheme, to get our planes off the ground?

Minister reply

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Secretary of State for Transport is looking at all such schemes. I am sure he will have heard what my hon. Friend has said loud and clear. He will be making some announcements very shortly.

Munira Wilson Lib Dem

Twickenham

Question

Today’s covid winter plan confirms a further £7 billion for test and trace, taking the full bill this year to some £22 billion. Could the Prime Minister confirm how much of that additional funding will be going to the highly effective local authority contact tracing teams, how much will be squandered on management consultants and Serco’s failed national contact tracing system, and how much will go on further supporting those asked to self-isolate?

Minister reply

I cannot give the hon. Member a breakdown of the figures now, but what I can certainly tell her is that, actually, NHS Test and Trace has been working hand in glove with local authorities from the beginning. There are, to the best of my knowledge, about 198 local authority testing teams now actively going out there and doing what is necessary.

Edward Timpson

Question

Dr Andrew Wilson and the Cheshire clinical commission group have done a great job maintaining a high standard of care for patients alongside their covid workload. Can my right hon. Friend reassure Dr Alistair Adey at the Tarporley Health Centre that additional support will be made available to GP practices, so they can continue to deliver that standard, alongside any vaccination programme?

Minister reply

Yes, absolutely, and I thank Dr Andrew Wilson and the Cheshire clinical commissioning group, and Dr Alistair Adey from the Tarporley health centre, for everything they have done. GPs will obviously play a crucial role in this vaccination programme, as they do in all vaccination programmes, and they have been backed with £150 million to prepare.

Carol Monaghan

Question

Household mixing in a major vector for covid, so unless the Prime Minister has negotiated a ceasefire with the virus, the only mixing we should be considering over the next six weeks is our Christmas drinks. Does the Prime Minister have an exit strategy, or is he content to accept a certain level of risk through household mixing?

Minister reply

As the hon. Lady knows, we think we have been able to get the virus down through a tiered system, and we will continue to do that. The guidance about the number of people we are allowed to mix with in households is clear and, alas, it will remain very tough.

Steve Brine

Question

On 2 November, I asked the Prime Minister what he felt we had learned in the summer after the end of the first lockdown, and he said that when people were contacted and tested positive, they should isolate. He went on: 'It does not look to me as though the numbers or the proportions have been good enough. We need to get those up in the next phase'.—[Official Report, 2 November 2020; Vol. 683, c. 58.] Will the Prime Minister update me on that point? Yes, mass testing is critical and the vaccine may well save us, but there will be a gap between the first and the last.

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is right to say that that has been a problem; but in fact, more people have been self-isolating than is sometimes supposed or alleged, and they have done a great thing. We have instituted means-tested payments to help support those who are isolating, but what will now really change things are the lateral flow tests.

Margaret Greenwood

Question

The Government have failed to make provision for the delivery of remote education to pupils who live in a household where someone is clinically extremely vulnerable. A number of my constituents are suffering from extreme anxiety as a result, as they do their best to keep their family safe. Some are even considering home schooling, despite the fact that their children love their schools. Will the Prime Minister respond to their concerns and ensure that in his new guidance, no family is put under unnecessary stress in such a way?

Minister reply

I assure all the parents who are coping with exceptionally difficult circumstances and trying to do the best for their kids when it is very stressful and they have the difficulty of knowing whether to send them to school that it is much better to send them to school if they possibly can. We have distributed, I think, hundreds of thousands of laptops to help pupils to learn remotely throughout the summer.

Ben Spencer Con

Runnymede and Weybridge

Question

I very warmly welcome the announcement of the end of national lockdown on 2 December. This morning, I had discussions with school leaders in Runnymede and Weybridge regarding the challenges that they face, and a key message was that our schools are open but that too many pupils are self-isolating at home. Whole year groups being sent home following a case and the self-isolation of teachers, and the impact and cost involved with that were causing huge challenges for the delivery of learning. We must minimise the harms from both covid and the measures being used to fight it. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as soon as possible, we need to use targeted testing to support teachers and to change and improve our approach to contact tracing in schools to stop whole year groups having to self-isolate following a case so that our schools can continue to provide the learning and opportunities that our children deserve?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the importance of testing in schools—testing the teachers and making sure that we do not send whole bubbles home.

Chris Matheson Lab

Cardiff North

Question

The hope that we have been given by our brilliant scientists will be dashed for millions if the Prime Minister pushes ahead with the public sector pay freeze, which is not levelling up but levelling down. He does not want to be accused of saying one thing and doing another, so will he give a very short answer now and rule out the possibility of a public sector pay freeze?

Minister reply

The hon. Gentleman should wait until the Chancellor’s statement on Wednesday.

Paul Holmes Con

Hamble Valley

Question

Welcoming the Prime Minister's statement and clarity, will he look at extending business rate relief to independent tap shops and breweries in his constituency and give bespoke new grants to this industry?

Minister reply

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave just now.

Andrew Gwynne Ind

Gorton and Denton

Question

Welcoming much in the Prime Minister's statement, is it counterproductive to push people out of regulated hospitality businesses into illegal insecure gatherings?

Minister reply

Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Huw Merriman

Question

Can the Prime Minister ensure that care homes promote visiting and register those who do not allow it?

Minister reply

Care homes should follow their own instincts about resident wellbeing. They should follow procedures, use lateral flow testing, and ensure loved ones can visit.

Diana R. Johnson Lab

Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

Question

Despite promises of 10,000 lateral flow tests for Hull, they have not arrived yet. Should the Prime Minister focus on delivering announced measures?

Minister reply

I will take up immediately the hon. Lady’s point about Hull and try to understand why it has not got the lateral flow tests.

Ben Bradley

Question

Nottinghamshire’s beauty industry was uniquely forced to close before the national lockdown, seeking assurances that there will be no such irregularities under new restrictions.

Minister reply

Yes, we will indeed. We will make sure there is much more uniformity about the way we do things.

Zarah Sultana Green

Coventry South

Question

Challenging the Health Secretary’s statement that NHS staff have free parking, asking for confirmation of this policy across the country.

Minister reply

I will look into the matter and get back to her as soon as I can.

Angela Richardson

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that by protecting NHS capacity during the autumn surge in cases, including at Royal Surrey County Hospital, investing £3 billion in reducing wait times, increasing treatments and mental health care, this Government are taking a balanced approach to all health needs?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is a balanced approach that we will have to continue to follow through to the spring.

Rachel Hopkins Lab

Luton South and South Bedfordshire

Question

Will the Prime Minister outline what plans the Government have to introduce fast air passenger testing regime?

Minister reply

The hon. Lady raises an excellent point, directing her to the statement that will be made shortly by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

Clive Efford Lab

Eltham and Chislehurst

Question

Local authorities have stepped up but are facing additional costs from local track and trace, losing income from taxes and fees. Will the Prime Minister give an undertaking that local government will be recognised in the current spending review?

Minister reply

I thank local government for everything it is doing. It is doing an amazing job in incredibly difficult circumstances. The hon. Gentleman can be sure that it will be recognised in the spending review.

William Wragg

Question

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that decisions over tiering will be based on local authority areas such as Stockport, rather than wider combined authority areas such as Greater Manchester?

Minister reply

I thank my hon. Friend and can confirm that we will be taking decisions about tiering on the basis of the data and a common-sensical division of the areas concerned.

Marion Fellows

Question

In light of increased costs for disabled people during the pandemic, with no £20 uplift to their legacy benefits, will the Prime Minister listen to cross-party MPs and peers and take action?

Minister reply

I will study the point made. Proud that we have uplifted universal credit by £1,000 a year, helping some of the poorest families across the country.

David Evennett

Question

Families and businesses in Bexleyheath and Crayford support my right hon. Friend’s statement and approach today, while hospitality sector has suffered. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is vital to continue providing support?

Minister reply

Indeed. We are going to do that by tough tiering, mass testing and rolling out a vaccine.

Carla Lockhart DUP

Upper Bann

Question

The positive role churches play in society and the importance of public worship should be recognised as we reopen them soon. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that the role of churches cannot be overestimated or overvalued, and that we should be looking at opening our churches again right across the United Kingdom?

Minister reply

I think I might quarrel with the hon. Member’s description of a broken land and a broken people. I think actually the people of this country have shown fantastic resilience. Churches play an enormous part in that.

Jonathan Gullis

Question

Stoke-on-Trent has pushed down case rates during the second wave by 100 per 100,000 cases. Will my right hon. Friend consider the approach made today of placing Stoke-on-Trent into tier 2 as we exit this national lockdown?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is so right in the way he champions Stoke and the community spirit of the people of Stoke. Alas, it will depend on all things discussed, with high incidence of virus.

Justin Madders Lab

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

Question

Those areas that are placed in tier 3 will be keen to get any help they can receive to get themselves out of that. Can the Prime Minister tell us how many of the reductions in infection can be directly attributed to the mass testing scheme in Liverpool, and what level of population buy-in is needed for that system to be effective?

Minister reply

That is an incredibly good question. In Liverpool, 37% or more of the population has now been tested, and a lot of asymptomatic positives have been found. To be absolutely certain that it is playing a decisive part in getting the R down, we need a bigger proportion of the population to take tests, and we need more community buy-in.

Marco Longhi

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising all our care workers, our staff at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and, in particular, staff at the Barchester Broadway Halls care home, who went out of their way to enable residents Stan Plawecki, aged 94, and Myra Staves, aged 87, to be part of our Armistice Day commemorations at this very difficult time?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to pay tribute to the work of those remarkable staff for what they did to allow Remembrance Sunday commemorations to go ahead and allow people to attend them.

Kevin Brennan

Question

There have been very positive discussions with the devolved Administrations, including in Wales, about a joined-up Christmas, but can the Prime Minister do something about the terminal incontinence of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in continuing to leak the details of those discussions, undermining the trust and respect needed for those discussions to succeed?

Minister reply

What I can certainly say is that it does not help to read about confidential discussions in the papers. A lot of the stuff I have read seems to be very wide of the mark.

Natalie Elphicke

Question

Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating all the arts venues, such as the Astor theatre in Deal, the churches and parish halls that have opened their covid-secure doors to help others during the pandemic and encourage such kindness and neighbourly behaviour to continue as we tackle the virus together across the nation?

Minister reply

I do indeed congratulate all the arts venues in Deal that have pulled together in the way that my hon. Friend describes.

Tulip Siddiq Lab

Hampstead and Highgate

Question

My constituents are excited about seeing their families over Christmas, but they are also nervous about putting their elderly relatives at risk. Will the Prime Minister consider using the expanded testing capacity to allow families to get a covid test ahead of visiting elderly relatives at Christmas, even if they do not have symptoms?

Minister reply

That is certainly one of the use cases that we are considering. Rolling that out across the whole country in time for Christmas might be difficult.

Craig Williams

Question

I thank the Prime Minister for his statement and welcome the return of the local approach—something that I hope the devolved Administrations, particularly in Wales, will copy. What they and my constituents want for Christmas is a united approach across the United Kingdom. To please the hon. Member for Cardiff West (Kevin Brennan), will my right hon. Friend, as the Prime Minister for the whole United Kingdom, announce that?

Minister reply

I very much hope that we will have a united approach to Christmas. There is much more that unites us than divides us on these issues.

Layla Moran Lib Dem

Oxford West and Abingdon

Question

As an Oxford MP, I echo the Prime Minister’s congratulations to the Oxford Vaccine Group on today’s fantastic news. Will he join me in further congratulating it on being shortlisted for the NHS parliamentary awards? Will the Prime Minister meet me and a cross-party delegation from both Houses to discuss our forthcoming recommendations so that we can create a covid-secure UK?

Minister reply

The hon. Lady is entirely right about the vaccine—it is wonderful news, but it is premature to say that it constitutes an exit strategy on its own. It must be accompanied not only by NHS test, trace and isolate, but by new types of testing, plus the tough tiering.

Jason McCartney

Question

With a case rate of 552 per 100,000 and the sixth highest case rate in England, many people expect Kirklees to be in the highest tier when the announcement is made on Thursday. Can I end this session by asking the Prime Minister one more time: please will he speak to the Chancellor again about support for the hospitality supply chain and for breweries and cider producers; will they look again at grant funding; and will they please consider once again cancelling business rates for another year?

Minister reply

My hon. Friend makes a passionate plea for breweries, cider producers and others. I know that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will be listening keenly to all of that, particularly the points about business rates and other measures.

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