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Coronavirus
09 March 2020
Lead MP
Jon Ashworth
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EducationEconomyEmploymentForeign AffairsBusiness & TradeStandards & EthicsChildren & Families
Other Contributors: 42
At a Glance
Jon Ashworth raised concerns about coronavirus 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 Response
EducationEconomyEmploymentForeign AffairsBusiness & TradeStandards & EthicsChildren & Families
Government Response
Responded to all questions with detailed answers, reassured about phased transition and provided information regarding vaccine production, workplace hygiene guidelines, parliamentary accountability, and critical care equipment. Responded to questions on school closures, home schooling contingency plans, consistent advice for small businesses in the early years sector, cruise ship outbreaks, skiing cancellations, intensive care unit expansion efforts, rural healthcare provision via telemedicine, cross-departmental support for public health and social care, hospital safety measures following deaths, travel insurance issues, airport testing efficacy, financial difficulties due to layoffs, and mass event guidelines during community gatherings. I am very happy to look into that specific example. Yes, of course. This is a lead for the Education Secretary, but he and the Schools Minister are working very hard on it. I emphatically agree. I should, of course, have added churches and other religious groups to the long list of organisations that can—and I hope will—participate in this national effort, so that the country can get through this situation as well as possible. Yes, all the staff at the Royal Stoke have done a brilliant job. I worry that they will no doubt have more cases to deal with, but the work they have done so far is something that we should all praise. Of course trade unions have an important role to play in this as well, and that is something we absolutely should consider. All of the hospitals that have so far dealt with cases—and, indeed, the four confirmed deaths—have protocols in place to ensure that the hospital remains a safe place to treat everybody else. The evidence so far is that that has worked well, but of course we keep working at it. I am working very closely with the Work and Pensions Secretary to address this exact point. The first question we must ask is, “How effective is this measure—is it effective?”, and the second is, “Are we going to get unintended consequences from people acting differently in a way that actually hinders the overall effort?” It is for the scientists best to explain the reason why they have scientifically come to this advice. But it is clear that there are other measures that we can take that are more effective and have fewer negative side-effects. The reason is that there are many UK citizens in that area who may want to come home. Also, crucially—this is very important—the evidence shows that banning flights from affected areas does very little to protect us. Indeed, Italy was the only country in Europe that banned flights from China earlier in the progress of this disease: it did not work, and now Italy is the epicentre of the European outbreak. The advice around school trips is to follow the Foreign Office travel advice—so, as of this weekend, not to take a school trip to north Italy, and otherwise to follow the travel advice. I strongly agree. I would say that largely the media have been responsible, but there have been a couple of exceptions. I hope that the media play their part in this national effort in reporting the facts and what the Government are thinking of doing, especially with the transparency that we are providing, but do so responsibly and thoughtfully as to the consequences of the way that this virus is portrayed. I emphatically support the call for civil society groups to play their part in the national effort. My hon. Friend knows more than most about the work that they do and can do, and I would be grateful to work with him on how to ensure that this is best done.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Chichester
The coronavirus outbreak continues to advance globally, with the number of cases and deaths increasing in several countries. In the UK, there are currently 319 confirmed cases and four confirmed deaths. The UK's response is guided by a four-point action plan focusing on containment, delay, research, and mitigation. Additional funding of £46 million has been allocated to find a vaccine and develop rapid diagnostic tests. NHS staff numbers are at record levels, with increased support for the 111 service. Testing capacity has improved with new systems in place for faster results. The Government is also initiating measures such as helping passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship return home.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Derby South
Expresses condolences to those affected by the outbreak and praises NHS staff. Questions the adequacy of funding for the NHS, citing staffing shortages and high critical care bed capacity. Asks about scaling up intensive care beds, ventilators, and ECMO machines; also inquires about PPE availability for GPs and social care workers. Highlights concerns regarding vulnerable individuals receiving social care and the need for timely public health allocations. Questions why specific measures such as home working or canceling large events are not being considered yet. Requests a commitment from the Secretary of State to consult on emergency legislation with opposition parties and statutory sick pay reforms.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Chichester
Reaffirms the need for cross-party collaboration in drafting emergency legislation, emphasising the necessity of medical advice guiding decisions. Confirms increased NHS staff numbers, particularly nurses, and efforts to scale up intensive care beds and secure necessary equipment like ventilators and oxygen supplies. Acknowledges that GPs will have access to protective equipment as needed. Highlights the importance of supporting social care workers who are critical in protecting vulnerable individuals. States that mass event cancellations are not currently recommended but advocates for home working based on personal circumstances and public health advice. Reassures about food supply availability, noting ongoing talks with supermarkets. Confirms plans to include changes to statutory sick pay in legislation. Emphasises the importance of parliamentary scrutiny and remains committed to ensuring continued openness.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Commends the Health Secretary for handling the crisis, questions the necessity of not sharing a central estimate on virus spread proportions in the UK.
Pays tribute to the Select Committee Chair's transparency, acknowledges the need for a central estimate but explains uncertainties around Chinese data. Confirms phased transition rather than immediate switch from contain to delay phase, and assures further guidance on workplace hygiene will be issued.
Clarifies that the move to delay phase is not an instant switch, asks about prison system management during crisis, inquires about Health Protection Scotland's recommendations for workplaces.
Requests discussions with large businesses regarding international travel and work-from-home policies to reduce virus spread.
Questions the Government’s plan to suspend parliamentary sessions until after Easter, proposes alternative measures for maintaining accountability through Parliament.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Advocates for growing indigenous vaccine production capacity in UK to ensure rapid deployment of vaccines to key workers once available.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Asks about discussions between the Secretary of State and Welsh Government on deploying emergency staff in care sector during crisis, highlights obstacles such as insurance and working hour limitations.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Inquires about specific advice for pregnant women regarding coronavirus risks.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Asks for a detailed estimate of ventilators required to meet potential critical care demand and mentions WHO’s recommendation on stockpiling ventilators.
Inquires about vaccine development details, safety measures, timings, and efficacy versus public health impact.
Clarifies that the Prime Minister's statement does not reflect the Government’s official position on handling the virus spread without draconian measures.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Asked about potential school closures and support for frontline workers.
Seema Malhotra
Lab Co-op
Feltham and Heston
Inquired about contingency plans for parents wanting to withdraw their children from school before the Easter break for home study arrangements.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Raised concerns about inconsistent advice given to nursery owners regarding home working, urging for consistent information provision during a crisis.
Asked about plans in place should there be an outbreak on cruise ships visiting UK waters during the sailing season starting in April.
Inquired about support for parents seeking refunds from airlines regarding cancelled ski trips to northern Italy, which was not regarded as essential travel.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Requested information on efforts to expedite the expansion of intensive care beds at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust.
Asked for further action and help specifically for rural communities affected by the virus, emphasising the importance of telemedicine in such areas.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
Praised the Secretary of State for following expert advice from former NHS emergency planners and asked about conversations with local government to support wider public health and social care provision.
Expressed condolences over a death in her constituency related to coronavirus and sought specific advice for those with relatives at New Cross Hospital.
Asked about assistance for people who have booked holidays or cruises but are considering not going due to the virus, highlighting issues with insurance coverage.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Thanked those working long hours and urged the Secretary of State to use business innovation and capacity as part of dealing with the crisis.
Called for pithy contributions to ensure all MPs can contribute in the debate.
Asked about advice given by DWP decision makers regarding coronavirus and sought follow-up on this issue.
Inquired about potential testing at airports or mandatory quarantining for individuals arriving from north Italy, highlighting concerns over late symptom onset.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Asked what can be done to prevent people on zero-hours contracts in the hospitality industry from facing financial difficulties due to layoffs.
Sought specific advice for constituents organising community events over Easter and May Day weekends, particularly regarding elderly attendees who are at risk.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
King’s College Hospital in my constituency has the highest level of debt of any hospital trust in the country. It also has a new 60-bed intensive care unit, which has been much delayed in its opening. Can the Secretary of State confirm what additional resources will be made available to King’s to ensure that those beds can open—fully staffed and fully equipped—as soon as possible, and to ensure that this challenged NHS trust has all the resources necessary to deal with the additional needs presented by coronavirus?
Edward Timpson
Con
Eddisbury
In May and June millions of pupils, including in Eddisbury, will be sitting important public exams. Although I accept that my right hon. Friend is doing the right thing by following the scientific evidence, may I encourage him to do everything possible to ensure that those exams go ahead, and to put in place clear contingency plans in the event that they do not?
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Churches in my constituency took precautions yesterday. Those who need to self-isolate are having food supplies delivered, and are receiving regular phone contact to stave off the feeling of being alone. Does the Minister accept that the ability for churches to meet for fellowship and prayer is essential for a lot of people’s mental health and spiritual welfare, and that churches remaining open for as long as possible is as essential as schools remaining open?
Aaron Bell
Lab
South Shields
Good communication is obviously key, so, first, may I thank my right hon. Friend for his regular updates? Secondly, will he join me in praising the staff and management at Royal Stoke University Hospital, who have treated a case recently and have communicated very clearly with the local community in Stoke and in Newcastle-under-Lyme?
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
The Secretary of State has called for a national effort on a number of occasions. What is his take on the request from the TUC, which has called for a joint emergency taskforce between trade unions and businesses to make sure, for example, that statutory sick pay issues are addressed as well as keeping public services afloat?
Ben Everitt
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
The Secretary of State is no doubt aware that one of the four deaths that he referred to in his statement was an elderly patient with underlying health conditions in Milton Keynes University Hospital. What steps is he taking to ensure that hospitals like Milton Keynes University Hospital and others are open, safe and clean?
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Many careworkers are on zero-hours contracts and work for multiple providers. This means that they may struggle to prove that they are eligible for statutory sick pay, forcing them to choose between protecting their clients and paying their bills. The Secretary of State mentioned statutory sick pay earlier. What is he planning to do to help care staff who are not eligible for statutory sick pay or who might struggle to prove their eligibility?
Neil O'Brien
Con
Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Over the weekend, Leicestershire had its first confirmed case of coronavirus, while a number of European countries moved to ban large public events. Will the Secretary of State explain why the timing of such social distancing measures is so crucial, and at what point and on what basis he will decide if they are necessary?
Philip Hollobone
Con
Kettering
My constituents in Kettering are struggling to understand why we are not banning flights from quarantined areas of north Italy.
Stuart Anderson
Con
South Shropshire
We have just heard about the death in Wolverhampton. I have had a lot of constituents talk to me about safety in schools. The Secretary of State has updated the House on this, but there are hundreds of school trips planned over the next three months all over the UK and Europe, so what is the advice around that?
Rob Butler
Con
Aylesbury
As a former journalist, I know the temptations of a dramatic headline, but does my right hon. Friend agree that in this case there is an onus on the media to report responsibly and not engage in scaremongering?
Danny Kruger
Reform
East Wiltshire
If large numbers of elderly and vulnerable people have to self-isolate, the statutory system will simply not be able to provide them with all the support they need at home. May I urge the Government to work with not only local authorities but civil society groups, to ensure that people get the social and practical support they need?
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