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Covid-19
02 November 2020
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSMental Health
Other Contributors: 57
At a Glance
Matthew Hancock raised concerns about covid-19 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 Secretary of State argues that the proposed measures to suppress the virus are necessary to protect both lives and livelihoods. He emphasises the importance of controlling R below 1, highlighting the impact on health services if uncontrolled, especially concerning the NHS's capacity to manage both covid and non-covid patients. The Secretary underlines ongoing improvements in testing, contact tracing, vaccine procurement efforts, and support for mental health amidst these stringent measures.
The Member from Northern Ireland asks about the specific concerns of student nurses and theatre nurses regarding pay during the crisis.
Concerned over political gamesmanship in Wales, this MP queries whether actions taken by Welsh colleagues have exacerbated the situation unnecessarily.
Mark Harper
Con
Folkestone and Hythe
Asks for specific steps to improve contact tracing efficiency from 48% to 80%, aiming for a more effective system during the lockdown period.
Highlights issues with the app and calls for improvements in self-isolation support, especially for those in high-risk environments like multigenerational households or overcrowded spaces.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Raises concerns over a missing button on the app that would allow individuals to claim £500 for self-isolation, requesting clarification and action from the Health Secretary.
Appeals for resource allocation towards areas with high health inequalities and vulnerable populations, focusing on improving local testing and tracing capacities during the lockdown.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Inquires about assurances regarding NHS follow-up appointments for constituents concerned about missed healthcare after previous lockdown measures.
Questions the rationale behind tighter restrictions in areas like Liverpool, despite apparent positive trends observed in case data and stability.
William Wragg
Con
Hazel Grove
Enquires specifically about actions taken to enhance ICU capacity over the summer period.
Suggests focusing more on NHS capacity data rather than case numbers and tests, indicating these figures might better illustrate the severity of the situation.
Queries about the confidence in maintaining ICU staffing amid potential staff fatigue and risk of illness over prolonged periods.
Jon Ashworth
Lab Co-op
Delyn
Raises concerns regarding revelations made by Kate Bingham at a commercial conference, questioning her authority to disclose sensitive information without prior approval from the Secretary.
Inquires about who will replace Kate Bingham as chair of the taskforce and what confidentiality agreements they would be required to sign upon their return to a profit-oriented business.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Rose to speak, but no specific position or contribution is detailed in the provided text.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Asked the Secretary of State whether they recognise the importance of a mixed economy involving both public and private sectors while still stressing the need for transparency in procurement processes to safeguard taxpayer money.
Noted that many Members wish to participate, hence imposing a five-minute time limit on Back Benchers' contributions to accommodate everyone within the debate session.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Dartford
The hon. Member criticised the Chancellor's inconsistent stance on a time-limited circuit breaker and pointed out that SAGE advised a lockdown in September, with warnings about catastrophic consequences if action was not taken then. He also highlighted the shortcomings of test and trace system and the financial support for people who need to isolate.
Matthew Hancock
Con
West Suffolk
The Secretary of State defended the Government's record on NHS funding, asserting that this was the highest level in history. He also emphasised the commitment to end dormitories in mental health services and the investment in mental health facilities.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
The hon. Member highlighted the new state-of-the-art mental health facility at Llandough Hospital, thanks to Welsh Government's investment.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
The hon. Member raised concerns about BAME death rates in both the first and second waves of the pandemic, calling for an action plan from the Government to protect those particularly at risk.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
The hon. Member emphasised the need for better coordination between the Treasury and the devolved Administrations, citing examples of inconsistency in furlough extensions during different phases.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Supports the measures presented. Emphasises the need for weekly testing of NHS staff, effective contact tracing, paying wages for those in self-isolation, speeding up drug approval processes, and increasing population testing capacity to 1 million tests per day by Christmas.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Covid-19 has produced the biggest health and economic challenges since the war, with those factors being inextricably linked. Until the virus is under control, the economic impact will continue to be felt. The speaker rejects the idea that there is a choice between protecting the economy and people's lives. He criticises right-wing rhetoric suggesting trade-offs between public health measures and economic prosperity. Emphasising the importance of ensuring people’s safety for societal well-being, he discusses the aviation industry's struggle with job losses and calls for targeted intervention from the government to support key sectors like aviation and transport. The Scottish Government faces financial constraints due to devolution settlement restrictions compared to other regions, while Scotland is experiencing some success in reducing case rates through collective action. Newlands urges the Treasury to offer flexible furlough schemes to protect jobs and acknowledges the Prime Minister's recent U-turn on this issue as coming too late for many businesses and workers. He expresses concern over a no-deal Brexit's potential impact during the pandemic, criticises government decisions driven by cronies rather than logic or public interest, and highlights the stark contrast in approval ratings between the UK Prime Minister and Scotland’s First Minister, suggesting growing support for Scottish independence.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Supports Newlands' point by adding that the Welsh Government has given care workers a £500 bonus during the pandemic. However, some constituents have lost benefits due to the Treasury treating this bonus as income, which is described as disgraceful.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Mr Jenkin responded to concerns about Scotland being ignored by highlighting the Government's financial support for Scotland. He criticised the political tendency in the House of Commons to disagree without offering solutions, stressing the importance of public confidence in the Government’s response. Mr Jenkin called for a long-term plan to manage coronavirus beyond current measures and advocated for better coordination within Test and Trace, suggesting local authority involvement and a single command structure to improve effectiveness.
The Speaker reminded the House that after the next speaker's contribution, the speaking time limit would be reduced to four minutes due to time constraints. No specific debate content was provided by Rosie Winterton in this excerpt.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Describes the Prime Minister, Chancellor, and Government as incompetent and reckless. Criticises Tory MPs for their private comments about the shambolic situation in England. Emphasises the success of Wales's approach to lockdown compared to England’s delayed response.
Quotes psychologist Emma Kenny, who discusses the detrimental effects of isolation on mental health and social well-being. Highlights the specific impact on children and young people, noting increased stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among them due to current restrictions.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Critiques the uncritical acceptance of expert advice, points out failures in predictions and over-preparations such as ordering unnecessary ventilators. Advocates for a targeted approach to mitigating the impact on elderly people rather than using broad measures that harm everyone else.
Calls for smarter and more compassionate lockdown strategies, targeting support for businesses, especially those in key sectors like hospitality. Emphasises the need to explain the reasoning behind new restrictions to ensure public compliance and understanding.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Proposes local contact tracing and testing for quicker response, using York as an example. Advocates for certifying workplaces based on their covid security measures to ensure economic stability while protecting public health.
Mark Harper
Con
Fareham
The debate scheduled for Wednesday is inadequate given the significance of the decision. The impact on GDP and cross-border traffic warrants a full day’s debate. Additionally, the Government should publish all scientific information underpinning their decisions to allow Members to scrutinise it properly.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
There is an urgent need for comprehensive guidance on Christmas gatherings, transport, student return and asymptomatic testing. The delay in non-covid healthcare cases is concerning, particularly for those with Crohn’s or colitis. Test, trace and isolate system needs improvement. Care home visits should be more flexible to prevent loneliness among residents. Schools require a clear plan for exams next May.
William Wragg
Con
Crewe and Nantwich
There is a growing divide in the country between well-off public sector workers making decisions and those suffering financial hardship due to lockdowns. The Government's policy choice will likely impoverish society for a generation, and there needs to be more focus on personal responsibility rather than over-promising. This four-week period should be used wisely to improve test and trace systems but also to reboot government policies.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
The north was hit hardest initially under tier restrictions but saw improvement. Workers in the north received lower furlough rates compared to those in the south during the current lockdown. Schools must remain open if safe, as closures could affect vulnerable students and staff. Gyms are essential for mental and physical health, especially for women, and should be supported to operate safely.
Guildford
The Government has provided significant financial support to businesses, organisations, charities, arts and culture, local councils, and health providers. This includes bounce back loans, business interruption loans, furlough schemes, self-employed grants, and extensive funding for homelessness prevention and healthcare facilities. Volunteers have played a crucial role in providing essential services during the pandemic.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Recognises the difficulty of strategising during the second wave of the pandemic and highlights the importance of maintaining NHS services while addressing the virus. He emphasises the need to keep businesses open, especially barbers and hairdressers who have a very low R rate. The speaker also calls for reconsideration of church closures and support for places of worship, as well as advocating for a National Day of Prayer.
Critiques the Government's handling of the pandemic, questioning decisions such as not taking over private healthcare facilities or using them to help ease NHS strain. She raises concerns about contracts awarded without tendering and highlights instances where companies with no relevant experience were given large PPE supply contracts.
Tom Hunt
Con
Ipswich
Supports the Prime Minister's decision to balance protecting lives with protecting livelihoods and liberties. Advocates for religious services, local football clubs like Ipswich Town FC, and a package of support for them during lockdown. Criticises low compliance rates in test and trace at around 20%, suggesting reducing isolation period to seven days might improve it. Expresses concern for constituents' livelihoods but supports the Prime Minister's promise that this will be the last lockdown.
Ian Paisley Jnr
UUP
North Antrim
Highlights the plight of 2.5 million isolated pensioners across the UK and the fear they feel due to lack of visits, especially in care homes where visits are restricted. Calls for a national day of prayer and criticises the impact of lockdown on places of worship. Raises issues about nurses' pay, suicides, deaths from cancer and heart disease, and other health conditions overshadowed by coronavirus news.
David Amess
Con
Southend West
Critiques the shambolic announcement of a second lockdown without prior warning. Advocates for care home visits to be allowed fully. Calls for clarity on overall strategy and objectives. Supports keeping churches open and publication of evidence behind the ban on them. Asks for more help for local businesses, especially those that operate from home or visit homes such as beauty therapists and hairdressers. Urges protection for vulnerable children in schools and support for people with physical and learning difficulties.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
The coronavirus pandemic has left millions of people up and down the country with an uncertain future, struggling to make ends meet. This health crisis has robbed us of people we love, destroyed livelihoods and shaken the foundations of our communities to their core. More than ever, the pandemic has laid bare the deep inequalities in our society and shown the huge gaps in our healthcare and social welfare system after a decade of Conservative austerity. We need to protect our public services and support our communities and our economy through this crisis. The Government have completely mishandled this crisis. The UK now ranks as the nation in Europe worst hit by fatalities, with a death toll passing 60,000. Over the summer, after the initial wave, the Government had time to get their act together, get a grip on testing and tracing, and get a grip on the virus. Instead, we have seen incompetence and failure at every turn.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
My hon. Friend is generous in giving way and is making such important points. Does she agree that the immediacy—the urgency—that has been lacking in this country was evidenced in countries such as Australia and New Zealand? They got on top of it really quickly and acted hard and fast, which is why Australia had zero cases over the weekend.
Bob Seely
Con
Isle of Wight
I would like to talk briefly in the time I have about the need for strategy, the need to use science transparently and the balance of risk. Sadly, this lockdown is by definition a failure of policy because back in the first lockdown we were promised “never again”, but here we are. We have draconian measures now while we wait for the cavalry in the form of a vaccine. But this is not a strategy, but the absence of one. May I now suggest that we need a strategy for living with the virus and giving people a sense of optimism grounded in a common-sense approach and a sense of proportion so that, rather than drifting in and out of lockdown and of restrictions, we give people a medium and long-term sense of what the future is likely to hold? A vaccine may not be a silver bullet. I would suggest “Keep calm and carry on” as a fairly commonsensical approach.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
I feel a bit queasy after the speech by the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Bob Seely), not because of what he said but because of the microphones—
I commend the Government for making rapid, bold decisions in response to the pandemic, such as expanding testing capacity and building Nightingale hospitals. However, I regret that we must face further lockdown measures and urge the Government to keep schools open, prepare for future pandemics, and initiate a national conversation about our long-term moral stance regarding restrictions.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
The next 48 hours are critical for the Government to clarify guidance on the new lockdown measures, address concerns raised by MPs and constituents about non-covid work, health, mental health, leisure activities, and religious gatherings. The Government should learn from previous lockdown experiences and present a comprehensive document comparing past and future measures to ensure clarity.
The choices we face are difficult, either risking overwhelming the NHS or halting the economy and livelihoods. I appreciate the efforts of healthcare professionals and teachers who work tirelessly during these challenging times. While supporting strict measures to control the virus spread, I urge the Government to ensure businesses can reopen as soon as it is safe, providing necessary financial support for those affected.
Sara Britcliffe
Con
Hyndburn
Agrees with the need to see differences between previous lockdown and current one, highlighting the struggle to protect lives and livelihoods. Emphasises the importance of financial and emotional support for communities facing restrictions, particularly mentioning the Chancellor's announcement supporting self-employed individuals. Raises concerns about care home visits, tier 3 restrictions, Test and Trace support for childcare workers, and specific business issues such as gyms and craft beer bars.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Supports the Government's actions to protect NHS and save lives while balancing economic impacts. Praises substantial financial support provided by the UK Government to Scotland, including loans and VAT cuts for businesses. Specifically calls for additional support for the wedding and events industry, which has been severely impacted by lockdown measures and is critical for local economies.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Acknowledges the necessity of restrictions despite personal reservations. Highlights confusion among constituents regarding changing guidance and its impact on businesses such as gyms, pubs, and hair salons. Emphasises the importance of protecting hospital capacity to prevent further deaths from other illnesses alongside covid-19.
Aaron Bell
Con
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Agrees with the Government's case for a national lockdown based on NHS capacity but expresses concerns about the data models presented. Urges the government to focus daily data reports on hospital pressure rather than just cases and tests. Calls for clarity in the projections shown by Cambridge/PHE and SAGE, suggesting they may not be accurate. Shows willingness to support restrictions if necessary to protect public health.
Andy Carter
Lab
Warrington South
Describes the current pressures on Warrington Hospital dealing with an increase in COVID-19 cases, highlighting that the hospital is busier than during the first wave. Emphasises the impact of staff shortages due to community spread and discusses the difficulty in contact tracing. Acknowledges the need for a national lockdown despite its economic consequences.
Tooting
The Government failed to act on the virus in the spring and again before winter. They ignored expert advice, causing uncertainty and unnecessary job losses. The test, trace and isolate system is failing. Businesses need certainty and support. There should be adequate PPE for NHS staff and frequent testing during winter. The care for carers plan aims to address mental health needs of frontline workers.
Steven Baker
Con
Tewkesbury
Asked Rosena Allin-Khan about the disagreements among experts in epidemiology and what Labour plans to do about it. Mentioned tweeting out a summary of a book on the subject.
Nadine Dorries
Con
Redcar
Chuntered from the seat, indicating dissatisfaction with Allin-Khan's speech. Offered to detail the comprehensive package in place for key workers during her own closing remarks.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Cambridgeshire
As a Minister, we won the election and have the right to decide policy. Mental health has been a major concern during the pandemic; the virus can exacerbate mental health issues and cause long-term conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and long covid. The Government is committed to investing £2.3 billion by 2023-24 in expanding mental health services. We have established 24/7 crisis phone lines, invested over £10 million in national charities, and provided online psychological first aid training for frontline workers. We are developing a winter plan focusing on wellbeing and mental health to monitor suspected suicides and self-harm data in real-time.
Government Response
The Secretary of State defended the Government’s record on NHS funding, stating that it was at a historical high level with more doctors and nurses than ever before. He also highlighted the commitment to end dormitories in mental health services. Agrees with the speaker's points regarding the need for rolling out measures everywhere. We acknowledge the immense strain of the pandemic on people's lives. Mental health concerns due to lockdowns have been weaponised by some for political gain, but we must address the serious mental health consequences of contracting coronavirus and losing loved ones. The NHS will launch a major campaign encouraging those struggling with common mental illnesses to seek help through talking therapy services or volunteer responders for essentials like food and medication during winter.
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