Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: UK-wide Response

Thursday 12 November 2020 · 2 questions

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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on coordinating a UK-wide response to the covid-19 outbreak are extensive and involve representatives from the devolved Administrations.
  • Steps are being taken to ensure the public are informed about changing guidance and lockdown measures across the UK.
  • Unity of communication is vital to ensure consistency in informing the public about what is expected of them during the pandemic.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
NHS Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Context

The MP is inquiring about recent discussions among government officials regarding a coordinated approach to the pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on co-ordinating a UK-wide response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer from Michael Gove

We have extensive discussions across Cabinet and with representatives from the devolved Administrations as we co-ordinate an appropriate UK-wide response to the covid-19 outbreak. Only yesterday afternoon I was discussing with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales how we can ensure that we can co-ordinate effectively the roll-out of mass testing.

Answered
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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Context

The MP builds on his previous question by asking about the steps being taken to inform the public about changing guidelines and lockdown measures.

Question

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his answer. Building on that answer, what steps is he taking to ensure that, as the guidance and lockdown measures change, the public are fully informed about what is expected of them across the UK?

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend makes a vital point. Of course, devolved Administrations have the right and responsibility to tailor solutions to their geography and their populations, but unity of communication is important. That is why, in the call we had yesterday, we also talked about the vital importance of having an aligned approach towards relaxation of restrictions for the Christmas period so that people can be with friends and family across the United Kingdom, confident that they are following rules that have been agreed by all.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to inform the public were not detailed beyond mentioning the importance of unity in communication.

How: Unity Of Communication Is Important

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