Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Vaccine: Developing Countries

Wednesday 10 June 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Businesses at M-SParc are developing proteins for vaccines and have produced more than 8,000 visors.
  • AstraZeneca has committed 300 million doses of the Oxford vaccine to low and middle-income countries.
  • The UK government is working with the Treasury to meet the 0.7% aid spending target despite expected decline in GNI.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virginia Crosbie Con M-SParc
Science & Technology
Context

Virginia Crosbie mentions M-SParc, a scientific park in her constituency, developing innovative technologies to fight coronavirus. She highlights the involvement of local colleges and universities.

Question

Businesses at M-SParc are developing proteins for vaccines and have produced more than 8,000 visors. What support is being provided by the Department for innovative British businesses in vaccine development?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Secretary of State for International Development)

Organisations across the UK are playing a vital role in innovating to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Officials are working closely with the Action for Global Health network and drawing on expertise from UK charities and organisations to shape global vaccine efforts. If UK-backed candidates for vaccines succeed, international efforts will be funded to ensure these vaccines scale up and support equitable access globally.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Hounslow East
Context

AstraZeneca has guaranteed the UK and US early vaccine doses, while poorer countries will receive them later. Preet Kaur Gill questions if this is equitable access.

Question

Does the Secretary of State think it is fair for wealthy nations to secure vaccines before developing countries?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Secretary of State for International Development)

AstraZeneca has committed 300 million doses to low and middle-income countries if the Oxford vaccine is successful. The UK taxpayer's commitment through aid funding supports this work, ensuring equitable access via organisations like Gavi that vaccinate nearly half of the world's children and negotiate lower prices for vaccines.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Chris Law SNP Glasgow North East
Context

There are reports that a rapid ministerial review is happening and new aid projects have been paused without informing Parliament.

Question

Can the Secretary of State confirm if there is a rapid ministerial review of the aid budget, leading to pausing most new projects?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Secretary of State for International Development)

The UK's commitment is linked to economic growth. With GNI expected to decline this year, we are working closely with the Treasury to understand forecasts and meet our 0.7% aid spending target. We are ensuring continued focus on aiding the most vulnerable by collaborating across government Departments.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)