Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: The Union

Wednesday 22 April 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial work includes cross-government and cross-party collaboration to address the covid-19 outbreak.
  • Consistency in approach across the Union has led to efficient delivery of support measures like business rates relief.
  • Efforts are being made to communicate the devolved nature of the UK's response through media outreach and Downing Street briefings.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marco Longhi Con Dudley South
NHS Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Context

MP Marco Longhi inquires about the role of the United Kingdom's union in responding to the coronavirus outbreak, emphasizing the importance of a united approach.

Question

What assessment he has made of the role of the Union in tackling the covid-19 outbreak. Does my right hon Friend agree with me and with most people in Dudley that we are stronger as one United Kingdom in responding to coronavirus? Can he let the House know whether the devolved Administration has improved outcomes for people in ways that we can share across the United Kingdom?

Answer from Simon Hart (The Secretary of State for Wales)

I welcome wholeheartedly the cross-government and cross-party work that has taken place to respond to the covid-19 outbreak, including through regular meetings of Cobr(M) and the ministerial implementation groups. I join you Mr Speaker in congratulating my hon Friend on his birthday. It is clear that the four-nation approach to covid-19 is not only the preferred option but the only option in dealing with this extraordinary set of circumstances.

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Q2 Alun Cairns Con Vale of Glamorgan
NHS Wales
Context

The Union's strength has allowed for extraordinary funding across various sectors, but there are issues with notifying vulnerable shielded individuals in Wales about supermarket access.

Question

There is no doubt that the strength of the Union has enabled the Government to support extraordinary levels of funding for the NHS, businesses, charities, families and so many others. When a common approach has been used across our Union, we have seen efficient delivery—business rates support being an obvious example. However, when it comes to notifying the most vulnerable shielded constituents in Vale of Glamorgan about gaining access to supermarkets, it has been much more difficult. Will my right hon. Friend encourage the Welsh Government to follow a united model rather than complicate matters needlessly?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

The short answer to my right hon. Friend's question is yes, and indeed that is already the case in my weekly, or nearly weekly, conversations with the First Minister and members of his Government. Consistency is everything. We all understand that there may be gaps in a complicated, fast-moving situation, but my right hon. Friend and I share an absolute desire to make sure that where gaps appear, the Welsh Government and the UK Government working together fix them quickly.

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Wrexham
Scotland Wales
Context

There is concern that Downing Street press briefings may not be clear on the UK's devolved system of government, leading to misinformation.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer to the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Gerald Jones), but may I press him further? There is still concern about the Downing Street press briefings not getting across the message that we have a devolved nations system of government in the UK. What representations has the right hon. Gentleman made to the BBC and other public broadcasters to ensure that it is made clearer that certain aspects of policies announced from Downing Street or by the UK Government may not apply to Wales, or may apply differently? I am sure he agrees that it is extremely important that we get the correct information out to people across Wales and across all the nations of the UK.

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

The hon. Gentleman's comments about the BBC are significant, and in fact we have already made approaches through the Wales Office to a number of media outlets to make precisely that point. Regarding the Downing Street briefings, that point will be made, and it is made. I have noticed a shift towards greater clarity about devolved and non-devolved matters.

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Q4 Robin Millar Con Aberconwy
NHS Wales
Context

There is concern about the proper prioritisation and distribution of resources, particularly oxygen supplies, across Wales.

Question

In Aberconwy and across north Wales, my colleagues and I have been working with the Betsi Cadwaladr University health board to make sure that preparations are in place for the coming wave. What assurances has my right hon. Friend had from the Welsh Government about the proper prioritisation and distribution of resources across Wales? I am particularly interested in oxygen supplies.

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

I can offer my hon. Friend some assurances. Recently, the Welsh Government have made an application for additional military support in achieving exactly the aims he mentioned, especially in terms of oxygen supply. Whenever we have had those requests—I think the most recent was on Thursday last week, for 20 additional military planners—the UK Government's desire is of course to grant them and get the measures in place as soon as possible.

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Q5 Jamie Wallis Con Bridgend
Business & Trade
Context

There is a concern that the restrictive eligibility criteria may prevent some small businesses in Wales from accessing necessary support.

Question

Wales has a higher proportion of micro or very small businesses than other parts of the UK. The survival of those businesses is vital not only for the Welsh economy but for supply chains across the four nations. What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the Welsh Government about removing some of the restrictive eligibility criteria for the economic resilience fund grants, such as the VAT status requirements, so that all the small businesses in Wales can get the help the fund promised to deliver?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

The overall point about consistency in the conditions that apply to businesses in England and in Wales is an important one. In whatever we do, we have been attempting to be as aligned as it is possible to be in the particular context, and that will continue. I think there has been a positive spirit of co-operation and collaboration. Of course, I have weekly meetings with the relevant Ministers of the Welsh Government, and that point has been raised. It will be raised again, and I will report back to my hon. Friend after our next meeting, which I think will take place on Monday.

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