← Back to House of Commons Debates
Covid-19 Update
05 May 2020
Lead MP
Jon Ashworth
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSSocial CareLocal Government
Other Contributors: 48
At a Glance
Jon Ashworth 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
Called for a statement on the Government’s response to the coronavirus and questioned the effectiveness of their approach, particularly in relation to testing and tracing, protection of NHS workers, and support for deprived communities.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Chichester
Reported on the expansion of testing capacity, the resilience built up in the NHS, including Nightingale hospitals, and acknowledged the need to protect vulnerable groups such as care home residents. He also addressed concerns about PPE shortages, deaths in care homes, and non-covid healthcare needs.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Derby South
Asked questions regarding fair pay for NHS staff, mental health support, access to personal protective equipment, the impact of inequalities on mortality rates, testing at ports of entry, and resources available for non-covid healthcare needs.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Suggested ways to make home visits safer for NHS staff by using vehicles like black cabs that can be easily cleaned and have a barrier between the driver and clinician.
Central Ayrshire
Discussed the effectiveness of full PPE in protecting healthcare workers from coronavirus, questioned why gowns were not included in stockpiles earlier as advised by scientific groups like NERVTAG.
Miriam Cates
Con
Spelthorne
Acknowledged the success of increasing critical care bed capacity and the fact that some Nightingale hospitals are now not taking more patients, which he sees as a testament to the effectiveness of their approach.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
[Inaudible.]
Stuart Anderson
Con
South Shropshire
Asked about the plans to ensure that promised PPE deliveries arrive consistently.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Expressed concern over disabled people's access to appropriate and affordable PPE for personal carers. She highlighted issues with inflated prices due to shortages.
David Johnston
12:30:00
Asked about media reports suggesting that elderly individuals would be forced to stay in their homes indefinitely, seeking clarification on the government's policy regarding social distancing rules for different groups.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Inquired about the Government’s plans for immediate and long-term mental health treatment for those affected by the emotional impact of the virus, especially frontline workers who are often reluctant to seek help.
Dean Russell
12:30:00
Confirmed that everyone on the frontline will have full support from the Government as Watford volunteers see first-hand the inspirational work done by various roles in fighting against coronavirus.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Raised issues regarding testing availability, prioritisation at local sites, and loss of tests, seeking assurances on when the UK would have sufficient testing capacity to implement a test, trace, and isolate strategy.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Asked for clarity on definitions and entitlements for different vulnerable groups as lockdown measures are considered for easing.
Caroline Lucas
12:30:00
Inquired about the role of public health professionals in community tracing efforts, expressing concern over potential outsourcing to private companies which have not proven effective.
Matthew Hancock
Con
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Defends the role of private sector partners in the test, track and trace programme, emphasises the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors. Acknowledges the Mayor of London's need to provide more tube trains for safer public transport. Supports cancer treatments resuming as safely possible when advised by clinicians. Reiterates that the NHS has not been overwhelmed at any point during the crisis. Defends the Government's response, stating they have achieved their priority goal of preventing the NHS from being overtopped. Urges constituents to follow clear guidance on shielding set out on the NHS website. Acknowledges challenges in providing new government guidance for visually impaired individuals and directs them to primary care. Highlights that 80% of Isle of Wight residents are willing to download the NHS app, which is part of a system designed to account for those without smartphones.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Crawley
Asks if the Mayor of London needs to provide more tube trains to ensure safer public transport in order to get London back to work.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Suggests that the Secretary of State should consider community testing and contact tracing systems being developed by local councils and health boards, which could offer local solutions complementary to any UK-wide infrastructure.
Nigel Mills
Con
Amber Valley
Requests assurance for constituents who are nervous about resuming cancer treatments due to fear of catching coronavirus at the hospital.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Critiques the Government's approach, citing their own measure suggesting that deaths below 20,000 would be a success. Asks how they can claim success when the death toll has surpassed this.
Jack Brereton
Con
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Acknowledges the magnificent response of the British people and asks for confirmation that the NHS was not overwhelmed at any point during the crisis.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Asks about the clarity of Government advice to over-70-year-olds on leaving their homes and inquires if face masks will be advised for public transport use.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Inquires about provisions made for visually impaired individuals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Martyn Day
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Asks about the estimate of NHS app downloads required to make it effective in keeping people safe, as well as discussions on making it compulsory if not enough people download it.
Laura Farris
Con
Gedling
Welcomes the launch of the test, track and trace app but questions its lower take-up by elderly individuals due to lack of smart phone access.
Erith and Thamesmead
Asked the Secretary of State if there are plans to publish a report on the effects of covid-19 on people who fall under one or more protected characteristics.
Announced that Public Health England has launched work looking into disparities in the impact of COVID-19. Stated that evidence indicates a lesser impact on children and women compared to men, and highlighted the importance of obesity's role. Emphasised listening to scientists and medics.
Heather Wheeler
Con
Constituency unknown
Congratulated the Secretary of State for his work and suggested placing a memorial at the National Arboretum in commemoration of essential workers who lost their lives to covid-19.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Inquired about what number of daily cases must be reached for test, track and trace measures to prevent a peak if restrictions are lifted.
Christchurch
Asked the Secretary of State whether changes to lockdown should be announced in Parliament first and requested release of findings from Exercise Cygnus to prove transparency.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Inquired about evidence regarding under-10s being at a lower risk for coronavirus symptoms and transmission, and asked what work is being done to explore this further.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Constituency unknown
Asked whether the advice given to pregnant women working on frontline health and social care about safety and income was sufficiently clear and consistent.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Acknowledged the Secretary of State's work, including delivering mobile testing in Wycombe, and asked about restoring full-scale elective surgery in NHS for non-covid conditions.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Reported issues with the test website directing residents to off-island testing centres, requesting adjustments to ensure local provision.
Guildford Constituency
Paid tribute to the Royal Surrey County Hospital and its leadership for their innovative approach during the crisis. Requested assurances of continued support and investment in diagnostics.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Asked about improving procurement processes so that companies can supply tests more easily, citing an example with Curative facing roadblocks in UK supply.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Inquired about the feasibility of moving to robust personal protection equipment capable of being decontaminated multiple times for reuse.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Requested suspension of NHS charging regulations for migrants due to disproportionate impact on BME communities during the pandemic, citing advice from medical organisations.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Constituency unknown
Asked about measures in place to prevent discharges into care homes of patients with suspected or confirmed covid-19 cases to avoid spread.
Matthew Hancock
Con
Emphasised the strengthened rules on discharges from hospitals to care homes, noting a decrease in deaths due to coronavirus in care homes. Announced privacy measures for the tracing app and its role in test-track-and-tracing efforts, encouraging public confidence through transparency and civic duty. Addressed scheduling concerns, cross-border issues with Ireland, and provided updates on PPE procurement and dental practice reopening plans.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Asked about the data protection measures in place for the tracing app to ensure public confidence in its use and security.
Peter Bone
Con
Newbury
Inquired about the proper protocol for government policy announcements, suggesting they should be made first in Parliament before going to the media.
North Down
Expressed concerns over potential operational issues arising from different contact tracing systems being used between the UK and Ireland, particularly Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Informed the Secretary of State about a firm in his constituency that could supply significant amounts of PPE if contacted by Government officials.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Raised concerns from dentists who feel their measures are insufficient to protect them, fearing bankruptcy and closure due to the current crisis, highlighting an existential threat to NHS dentistry.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
Inquired about steps being taken to move forward with dental practices similar to those taken for hospitals during the crisis.
Alyn Smith
PC
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Expressed concern over reports that the UK is not making substantial progress on reducing infection rates, asking if this data will be considered in decisions about easing lockdown.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Asked for advice on getting staff at a local care home tested without having their own transportation to testing facilities.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Pressed the Health Secretary for evidence behind the decision not to ask people arriving from abroad to self-isolate, expressing concern that this information was not included in recent papers.
Government Response
Provided updates on PPE supply improvements, addressed concerns about deaths in care homes, and reiterated the importance of suppressing the virus. He also discussed the role of local authority public health services and stated that the Government's agenda to 'level up' inequalities remains a priority. Responded to a range of questions, including on the impact on different demographics, test procurement challenges, and issues around personal protection equipment. Announced work by Public Health England to investigate disparities in coronavirus impacts.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.