Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Restrictions: Reducing Covid-19 Transmission

Tuesday 6 October 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government's local action gold committee assesses the effectiveness of local restrictions on reducing COVID-19 transmission through data and expert advice.
  • The Health Secretary stated that 7 million is being allocated to nine councils for local action against the virus.
  • The Government maintains vigilance over virus transmission across London and consults regularly with the Mayor of London.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
NHS
Context

The MP asked about the assessment made by the government regarding the effectiveness of local restrictions in controlling the spread of coronavirus.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of local restrictions on reducing the transmission of COVID-19?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

I chair the Government's local action gold committee, which considers the latest data and advice from experts including epidemiologists and the chief medical officer, and the Joint Biosecurity Centre. Through this process, we consult local leaders and directors of public health. We have seen local actions in some parts of the country bring the case rate right down.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about the effectiveness or criteria used for assessing restrictions

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Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
NHS Local Government
Context

The MP questioned the Health Secretary's statement about extra funding for local councils versus outsourced companies like Serco.

Question

Yesterday, the Health Secretary told me that “we have been putting the extra money into…councils”. What money is that? He announced £7 million split between nine councils as compared to £12 billion for Serco. That is not putting the extra money into councils, so may I ask him when he will stop relying on outsourcing giants and support local public health teams with funds they need?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

We are putting money into local councils in areas where local action needs to be taken. We have an open dialogue with councils and local mayors about what needs to be done. It is better to support the whole effort to control this virus, not just part of it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify funding amounts or commitments towards local health teams; instead urged to support efforts as a whole

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Q3 Owen Thompson SNP
Context

The MP asked about the government's response to the Mayor of London's warning on virus spread in London.

Question

Are the Government now looking at introducing wider restrictions across London? As a matter of interest for this House, will the Cabinet Secretary commit to reintroducing a hybrid Parliament in such a situation?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

I discuss these matters with the Cabinet Secretary and other colleagues across government all the time, and I also speak regularly to the Mayor of London. We maintain vigilance over the transmission of the virus right across the country.

Not addressed: Changed subject entirely without addressing specific questions about wider restrictions or hybrid Parliament commitments

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Q4 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
NHS
Context

The MP asked about the infection rate criteria that triggers local restrictions.

Question

Can the Secretary of State answer a very simple question: what rate of infection means that a local authority needs to go into local restrictions and what rate means that it can leave them?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

Because of specific local circumstances such as outbreaks in a workplace or halls of residence, it is not possible to put a specific number on the point at which a judgment is made to put in place local restrictions or to take an area out of them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific numbers or criteria for entering/exiting restrictions; mentioned specific circumstances instead

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