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Covid-19 Update
24 March 2020
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmployment
Other Contributors: 35
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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The spread of coronavirus is rapidly accelerating across the world, necessitating strict measures to slow transmission. These include staying at home except for essential reasons such as shopping for necessities, exercising once a day alone or with household members, seeking medical care, and travelling to work if impossible to do remotely. Non-essential shops are closed, gatherings larger than two people in public areas are prohibited, and fines up to unlimited amounts will be imposed for non-compliance. The government is writing to the most vulnerable individuals advising them on shielding themselves from the virus and providing support.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Leicester South
The Opposition supports the enforcement of social distancing but urges for clearer guidance around which workers can go out, especially as there are reports of non-essential businesses insisting that their employees turn up to work. The speaker also questions why employers are not being fined like individuals if they insist on violating social distancing rules. He raises concerns about mental health and domestic violence, lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff, the need for more testing and contact tracing, potential impacts on abortion care due to the Coronavirus Bill, and the opening of intensive care beds and ventilators.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
Acknowledges efforts to resolve PPE issues but raises concerns about the slow progress in increasing testing capacity as committed. He emphasises the need for a concrete timeline for routine community testing.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Unknown Constituency
Responds by acknowledging the concerns and confirms that millions of tests are being purchased and will arrive in days and weeks, promising to provide a more concrete timetable soon. He also addresses other issues such as PPE supply for frontline staff, procurement of ventilators, and contact tracing.
Owen Thompson
SNP
Unknown Constituency
Expresses gratitude towards those working tirelessly to combat the pandemic and criticises irresponsible employers. He asks for updates on PPE supply, procurement of additional ventilators, central procurement with EU, relaxation of rules for refugee doctors/nurses, and support for self-employed individuals.
David Davis
Con
Goole
Compliments the Secretary of State's efforts so far. Requests clarification on travel exemptions during the lockdown, particularly for those providing care to special needs children or engaging in informal caregiving roles.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon
Calls for clarity regarding volunteer activities such as Samaritans' call rooms and seeks assurance that volunteers can travel to conduct their work during the lockdown.
Mark Harper
Con
Unknown Constituency
Raises concerns about financial distress faced by tourism and leisure providers due to deposit returns, urging the Secretary of State to address this issue in collaboration with the Treasury.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Inquires if community centres and churches are covered under the guidance for food bank volunteers' activities during the pandemic.
Stephen Hammond
Con
Unknown Constituency
Commends the Secretary of State's efforts and raises issues regarding clarity in Public Health England guidelines and necessity for additional blood gas machines in hospitals.
Edward Davey
Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Inquires about availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and social care workers, and questions manufacturing and procurement from around the world to ensure sufficient supply.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Expressed reassurance over PPE distribution to care settings and asked for confirmation that the masks would meet clinical guidelines.
Matthew Hancock
14:23:00
Responded to concerns about PPE non-delivery through a hotline, emphasised correct specification of PPE according to guidelines. Stated no proposals to change abortion rules due to COVID-19.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Asked the Secretary of State to commit not to oppose moves enabling healthcare practitioners to certify abortions during lockdown, referencing a temporary regulation on gov.uk website.
Graham Brady
14:23:00
Urged the Secretary of State to look urgently at providing indemnity for care homes contracting block bookings from local authorities.
Kevan Jones
14:23:00
Asked about the position of a charity in his constituency regarding operating without additional certification after government announcement.
Tim Loughton
14:23:00
Described community volunteer projects and questioned if supermarkets should be arranging food delivery for NHS workers during lockdown.
Chris Elmore
Lab
Bridgend
Asked the Secretary of State to ensure small firms not offering essential services are keeping staff at home despite continued business operations.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Suggested a short, sharp shutdown for 30 days as an approach to controlling the disease spread, while acknowledging confusion about whether people should go to work.
Patrick Grady
14:23:00
Questioned if employers are taking advantage of the furlough scheme and why employees shouldn't be punished for following guidance by staying at home.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Inquired about essential jobs and repairs in people’s homes that require workmen to enter, asking whether these could proceed with proper social distancing measures.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Asked the Secretary of State for a clear explanation regarding yesterday's guidance on access to abortion, which was later removed from the government website.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Asked about visiting loved ones in hospital and clarified that Rutland is not a 'hospital desert'.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Questioned the attempt to alter the abortion regime through the Coronavirus Bill, requesting assurance no changes would be made.
Steve Brine
14:23:00
Asked for clarity on advice regarding going to work and expressed concerns about confusion over when it is necessary or possible to leave home.
Kevin Brennan
14:23:00
Represented his colleagues in raising the issue of irresponsible employers requiring workers to come into office for tasks that could be done remotely, asking for communication with the Home Secretary about it.
Tobias Ellwood
Con
Bournemouth East
Paid tribute to volunteers in Bournemouth and across the country who are helping elderly and vulnerable people. Asked what role the armed forces might play in enforcing a lockdown.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Chichester
Stated that the armed forces were not involved in enforcement of law but praised their support to civilian efforts. Announced fines starting at £30 for those who flout rules. Offered phone number to a constituent's employer about PPE availability.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Asked the Health Secretary about providing information on how to obtain PPE, as constituents and their employers needed this information.
Called for an appropriate way to recognise and honour NHS workers' bravery after the crisis ends.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Pressed for more FFP3 masks to be provided as frontline health workers are demanding them out of fear of the virus.
Thanked the Secretary of State for rapid response to inquiries and praised NHS efforts. Asked about PPE availability and supermarket support for food banks.
Peter Aldous
Con
Waveney
Asked for clarification on definition of essential retail, noting that some stores are misclassifying themselves as essential retailers.
Praised volunteers' efforts and confirmed their continued service in a safe way. Raised pension concerns about retired nurses returning to work.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Paid tribute to NHS staff at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, highlighted the need for PPE and access to ventilators.
Praised NHS staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and asked the Secretary of State to commend private firms offering free parking to NHS staff.
Government Response
Responds by addressing concerns on testing capacity, PPE availability for frontline staff, procurement of ventilators, central procurement with EU, and volunteer activities during the lockdown. He also discusses issues related to travel exemptions for caregiving roles. Responded to multiple MPs regarding PPE distribution, abortion rules, care home indemnity, charity certification requirements, NHS worker food delivery, small firm operations, lockdown duration, call centre workers compliance with guidance, essential jobs in homes, hospital visits, abortion legislation changes, and clarity on work-from-home guidelines.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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