Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Test and Trace Application

Thursday 11 June 2020 · 1 question

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions took place on 2020-06-11 regarding the Test and Trace Application.
  • Emma Lewell-Buck questioned the effectiveness of the Test and Trace Application, citing issues with hiring pauses and missed targets.
  • The Minister defended the application, stating it is fit for purpose and aligns with the scientists' recommendations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Lewell-Buck Lab South Shields
NHS
Context

The NHS test and trace app is undergoing trials on the Isle of Wight despite criticisms over its effectiveness and delays in implementation.

Question

It's been a shambles, hasn't it? Announced in May, hiring paused in mid-May, targets missed, tracers reporting that they have been paid to sit at home and watch television as there is no work for them—and now, changes to the app are being considered and it is not going to be working properly until the autumn. Does the Minister stand by his fulsome praise of the Health Secretary or agree with scientists who said only days ago that the Government's whole test-and-trace strategy is simply not fit for purpose?

Answer from The Minister for Cabinet Office (Michael Gove)

Well, I think it is fit for purpose—not just that but it is an effective way of ensuring that we can work together in order to contain the virus. The hon. Lady says from a sedentary position that the scientists are wrong. I disagree with her; I think the scientists are right.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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