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Covid-19
11 November 2020
Lead MP
Edward Argar
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 37
At a Glance
Edward Argar raised concerns about covid-19 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
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 virus remains a serious threat, with more than 20,000 positive cases recorded yesterday. Average daily hospital admissions currently stand at 1,366 and there were over 500 deaths reported on the previous day, which is a painful reminder of the real battles being fought in hospitals up and down the country. The measures taken to protect the NHS are time-limited, expiring on December 2nd, after which we will look to return to the tiered system based on local data and trends. Despite these challenges, schools and universities remain open, people can form childcare bubbles, exercise freely, and meet one person from another household outside. The government has provided over £200 billion in financial support since March to protect lives and livelihoods across the UK, including an extended furlough scheme for those who did not qualify initially.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
The Minister's point about hospital impacts was crucial. She emphasised that unless we control the coronavirus rate, elective surgeries and other care might be adversely affected as they were in the first wave of the pandemic.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
He highlighted the ongoing issue of people not qualifying for initial furlough or self-employed grants, urging the Minister to convey this message back to his colleagues across the Government. He stressed that many individuals are still without financial support and will find it increasingly difficult to make it through the coming weeks and months.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Expresses concern about the ongoing impact of the second wave, highlights the importance of maintaining vigilance despite recent positive news regarding potential vaccines. Criticises the Government's handling of the pandemic, including poor test and trace performance, lack of support for NHS staff, and inadequate financial assistance for self-isolation. Calls for better planning and communication regarding future restrictions and a focus on ensuring that people adhere to isolation rules through improved financial support.
Liam Fox
Con
Wealdon
Pays tribute to those who helped during the pandemic and discusses how to maintain public confidence in policies moving forward. Emphasises the need for clarity on transitioning from national lockdowns to regional tiers, calls for addressing illogical rules that impact public health compliance, advocates for free testing for key worker families, and urges the Government to reconsider those relying on dividends facing undue hardship. Liam Fox also discusses the balance between protecting public health and ensuring economic viability and stresses the importance of cross-party scrutiny through a Parliamentary Commission on Pandemic Standards.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
In an intervention, Ms Trott acknowledged the role of private companies in tackling the virus, specifically mentioning Pfizer as an example of how profits from private companies enable investment during a pandemic.
Richard Graham
Con
Somerton and Frome
Asked if the debate should focus on current aspects of the pandemic rather than historical ones.
Nigel Evans
Ind-DC
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Called for adherence to time limits, noting that similar constraints apply to Front-Bench contributions.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Critiqued the Government's response to the pandemic, arguing that freedoms of association, expression, and worship have been excessively curtailed. Mentioned examples such as clinicians facing job threats for expressing dissent and a nurse being charged with assault while attempting to free her mother from a care home. Warned against the British public becoming complacent about their liberties during the transition to less restrictive measures.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Discussed the contrasting experiences of two PPE companies: Florence Roby and PPE Medro. Emphasised that while Florence Roby developed reusable medical robes, it faced delays and was ultimately told their services were no longer needed, leading to job losses. In contrast, newer companies like PPE Medro secured lucrative contracts without prior industry experience.
David Jones
Con
Clwyd West
Highlighted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on care home residents, many suffering from dementia. Described the distress caused by visitation restrictions and called for a more humane approach to managing family visits under safe conditions, suggesting key worker status for relatives and indemnity regimes for care providers.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Ms Whittome expresses concern over conspiracy theories and misinformation regarding the pandemic. She highlights the impact on frontline workers in Nottingham and discusses the challenges faced by constituents, such as economic uncertainty and isolation due to lockdowns. She criticises the Government for failing to protect jobs and livelihoods, provide PPE, and properly manage test and trace systems. Ms Whittome also addresses the rise of far-right conspiracy theories and urges all Members to combat misinformation.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Argues for more data analysis on the effectiveness of lockdown restrictions, supports an approach based on testing and enablement. Questions why regional alert levels did not slow virus spread sufficiently. Advocates for a clearer understanding of compliance with quarantine rules and suggests monetary incentives or informational changes to improve compliance. Expresses hope for the trial of Professor Sir John Bell’s proposed system where contacts are tested and released if negative, advocating for a data-driven approach on lifting curfews based on efficacy.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Expresses gratitude to voluntary groups, key workers, and NHS staff in Aberdeen. Discusses the severe economic impact of both the pandemic and oil price collapse on Aberdeen, highlighting increased universal credit claimants and potential job losses. Calls for an extension of the £20 universal credit uplift, an oil and gas sector deal protecting jobs during a transition to renewables, and Scottish Parliament borrowing powers. Warns that lack of support may result in further movement towards Scottish independence.
Praises Pfizer and BioNTech for their vaccine development efforts, highlighting the private sector's role without state bureaucracy. Thanks constituents of Wakefield for adhering to lockdown rules and using the eat out to help out scheme effectively during economic recovery.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Hull has the highest rate of covid infections in the country, with 161 patients in Hull Royal Infirmary, including 16 in intensive care. Since the pandemic began, 265 people have died. The situation is a public health emergency; schools are struggling due to lack of staff and there's no adequate support from the government for testing or armed forces assistance. Emma calls for additional help from the Government as her city struggles with high infection rates. She also mourns the loss of her grandmother who died from covid-19, urging people to take the situation seriously.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Morrissey speaks about a mother in her constituency who lost her 21-year-old disabled son, Jamie, during lockdown. The mother was denied access to him and watched his health deteriorate. She urges for special visitation rights for parents of working-age adults with disabilities in long-term care. Morrissey thanks the Minister for Care for her work behind the scenes on this issue and asks for additional support and safeguarding measures for this patient cohort.
Miller expresses gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, emphasising the importance of following current restrictions to prevent a rise in infection rates. She discusses the regional approach and reintroduction of lockdowns across England, stressing that these decisions are crucial for preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, thus allowing it to treat other urgent cases.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Condemns the UK Government's approach to testing, contact tracing, and PPE contracts. Highlights local community efforts in her constituency but criticises national government for their incompetence leading to high infection and death rates.
Focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on young people's careers. Discusses a constituent who trained as a pilot only to find that employers are not hiring due to the pandemic, urging for long-term plans and support for sectors hit hard by the virus.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Calls out inconsistent policies during lockdowns, such as allowing air travel but restricting other activities. Urges for an inquiry into care home deaths from COVID-19 and advocates for changes in visitor status to enable family visits.
Covington and Brakenhall
Defended the Government's decision to impose a second lockdown, emphasising the difficulty of such decisions. He praised the Government for protecting constituents through various support schemes, highlighting progress in testing capacity, ventilator production, and track-and-trace app adoption.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Cardiff North
Expressed frustration over the impact of continued restrictions on businesses, particularly in hospitality. He criticised the UK's fiscal framework for devolved Administrations and highlighted issues with last-minute policy changes that led to job losses. Emphasised the need for a reduced VAT rate for tourism and non-domestic rates at zero level. Raised concerns about contracts awarded without open procurement processes.
Marco Longhi
Con
Erewash
Acknowledged the necessity of restrictions but questioned the scientific evidence backing them, citing inconsistencies in modelling predictions. Highlighted the importance of public compliance and the credibility of information used to justify decisions.
Suzanne Webb
Con
Stourbridge
Focused on the crucial role played by local jobcentres during the pandemic response, highlighting the Department for Work and Pensions' £9.3 billion investment in universal credit. Emphasised the need for reskilling and upskilling to adapt to changes brought about by automation and digitalisation.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Agrees with other contributors on using mass testing and self-isolation to control the pandemic. Focuses on the vaccine taskforce led by Kate Bingham, praising her work in securing doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. Emphasises the importance of collaboration between private sector, academia, and Government for a successful exit strategy.
Lee Rowley
Con
North East Derbyshire
Expresses gratitude to constituents for enduring restrictions. Acknowledges confusion over conflicting information about the virus's impact and emphasises the need to deal with uncertainty while waiting for solutions like vaccines. Urges patience and acknowledges the unprecedented challenge of turning back a pandemic mid-flow.
James Sunderland
Lab
Workington
Recognises the necessity of lockdown 2 but urges quicker return to tiered system to protect lives and livelihoods. Advocates for reopening the economy while taking the virus seriously. Highlights concerns in aviation, leisure industry, entertainment sector, and local civil liberties. Requests Government action on cancer backlog, flu jabs shortage, and permanent Test and Trace site.
Anthony Browne
Con
South Cambridgeshire
Pays tribute to those who have helped during the pandemic, criticises opposition for attacking private sector, highlights contributions of local businesses in vaccine development, and suggests Government could produce a cost-benefit analysis and adopt more aggressive regional approach to help reassure public.
Shaun Bailey
Lab
West Bromwich West
Pays tribute to voluntary and community groups who have supported vulnerable communities during the pandemic, discusses difficulty in finding balance between protecting lives and maintaining liberties, praises Government's economic response but expresses concern over social isolation of constituents.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Focuses on impact of restrictions on social contact for residents in care homes, raises concerns about distress caused to dementia patients by lack of regular visits from family members, urges Government to look into testing visitors who go to care homes so they can at least try to see their loved ones.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Ealing Central and Acton
Welcomes developments on vaccine front, highlights reduction in case rates in her local authority, encourages Government to ensure that London leaves lockdown in a lower tier, stresses importance of focusing on the economic significance of London.
Dean Russell
Con
Watford
Emphasises the invisible nature of the fight against coronavirus and thanks constituents for following Government guidance. Highlights the personal sacrifices made by individuals to protect lives, underlines the importance of collective action in combating the virus.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Welcomed the news on vaccines, thanked the Government for rapid testing in County Durham. Suggested relaxing restrictions on gyms, God activities, and golf before 2 December. Highlighted difficulties faced by care homes such as access to flu vaccines, challenges with covid testing, portal issues, and flexibility of infection control funds.
Praised Warrington South's role in the battle against covid-19 and thanked the Health Secretary for providing 10,000 antigen lateral flow devices to start mass testing. Emphasised the importance of regular testing for NHS staff to keep people safe when they visit hospitals. Praised Kate Bingham, chair of the vaccine taskforce, for her work in securing 30 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine.
Agreed with his colleague about the superb work of the vaccine taskforce and thanked careworkers and NHS staff on the Isle of Wight. Stressed the importance of data transparency in government decisions and called for a strategic approach to handling the pandemic beyond waiting for vaccines.
Tooting
The MP pays tribute to those who have died in the pandemic and congratulates President-elect Joe Biden. She highlights concerns over vaccine distribution, including transparency issues and prioritising black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. The MP also questions the Government's support for mental health services, the arts industry, suicide prevention strategies, expectant mothers and fathers, and students returning home during Christmas. Additionally, she calls for routine testing for frontline NHS staff and adequate resources for local councils to distribute lateral flow tests.
Jo Churchill
Con
Birstall
Thanked contributors and frontline workers for their efforts during the pandemic, emphasised the work of armed forces in tackling the virus. Recognised personal losses shared by MPs. Expressed optimism about vaccine development but also caution. Acknowledged the MRHA's role in ensuring clinical safety of vaccines. Announced a large-scale vaccination programme if approved. Praised progress on PPE production and acknowledged difficulties for care home families. Mentioned trials for care home visits with testing support, including free access to PPE. Highlighted pilots for whole-town and city testing and twice-weekly testing for NHS staff. Stressed the importance of protecting lives while considering livelihoods. Noted the Chancellor's package of £200 billion support since March and the furlough scheme that protected 9 million jobs. Emphasised data showing the rapid increase in cases among over-60s and the necessity of national restrictions.
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