Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Strengthening the Four-nation Approach

Wednesday 20 May 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve McCabe inquired about recent discussions with the Cabinet Office Minister to strengthen the four-nation approach to the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Alison McGovern questioned the Minister about discussions regarding obtaining a sub-regional transmission rate for the whole of the UK, noting the Prime Minister's acknowledgment of regional differences.
  • Grahame Morris highlighted a survey by Radiotherapy4Life indicating potential avoidable cancer deaths in Scotland due to deferred treatments, urging the Minister to work collaboratively to address the issue.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab
NHS
Context

Discussions are ongoing regarding how best to coordinate efforts across the UK to combat the pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions have you had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on strengthening the four-nation approach to the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Douglas Ross

I have regular discussions with the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Scotland Office is in regular dialogue with Scottish Government Ministers to ensure that the most effective measures are put in place in all parts of the United Kingdom. Throughout the covid-19 outbreak, we have been committed to a four-nations approach.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any recent discussions or concrete actions taken to strengthen coordination.

How: Ongoing Discussions

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Q2 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
NHS
Context

The Government acknowledges the varying impacts of coronavirus on different regions. Discussions are ongoing to address regional differences.

Question

From the Secretary of State's comments earlier, we know that the Government accept that coronavirus will affect different places differently. What discussions has the Minister been having with other Ministers about getting an official sub-regional transmission rate—a sub-regional R rate—for the whole United Kingdom to enable authorities in different parts of the country to respond locally?

Answer from Douglas Ross

There have been ongoing discussions about this. As the Secretary of State said, indeed, the Prime Minister included it in the UK Government document—not only will different nations of the United Kingdom come out of the pandemic at different rates but different regions of England may also come out of the pandemic at different rates. We are committed to supporting everyone, no matter where they live, to have the best chances to come out of coronavirus and its effects.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about ongoing discussions or actions towards implementing a sub-regional R rate system.

How: Ongoing Discussions

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Q3 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
NHS Scotland
Context

A survey by the charity Radiotherapy4Life suggests between 2,500 and 7,000 avoidable cancer deaths due to delayed treatments during the pandemic.

Question

Is the Minister aware of a survey by the charity Radiotherapy4Life, which says that there may be between 2,500 and 7,000 avoidable cancer deaths in Scotland as a result of deferred treatments for cancer patients as a consequence of the NHS focusing on the covid-19 response? Will he work with his counterparts in the four nations to put the case to prioritise advanced radiotherapy by seeking to increase funding, and to remove bureaucratic barriers and restrictions to modernising radiotherapy?

Answer from Douglas Ross

The hon. Gentleman raises an extremely important point. We have to make it clear in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland that our NHS remains open. Cancer patients should be aware that we will do everything we can across the four nations of the United Kingdom to get the treatment they need and deserve. The ultimate message is yes, coronavirus has an impact on our NHS, but because of actions by the Government and public health measures, we have suppressed the outbreak ensuring capacity hasn't been breached. Important medical matters cannot go untreated for too long.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to working with counterparts or addressing funding and bureaucratic barriers.

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Q4 Steve McCabe Lab
NHS
Context

When the Prime Minister transitioned from “Stay at Home” to “Stay Alert”, there was a lack of alignment with other nations regarding this approach.

Question

When the Prime Minister ditched 'Stay at Home' for 'Stay Alert', he did not appear to have been too alert to the fact that the other three nations were not with him. Is it not time to re-establish the four-nation approach as soon as possible?

Answer from Douglas Ross

I think we have seen a slight divergence in some areas, but together the four nations continue to work strongly in lockstep to ensure that we can beat coronavirus and save not only lives, but livelihoods. I am encouraged that Scotland will shortly announce similar measures to the rest of the United Kingdom to release some of the restrictions that are in place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to re-establishing the four-nation approach immediately or providing a timeline for alignment.

How: Working Strongly Together, Slight Divergence

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