Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces: Covid-19 Response

Monday 7 December 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Ministry of Defence has 13,500 personnel supporting winter resilience operations during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • Defence is prepared to generate more personnel if the Health Secretary issues a demand signal.
  • The Ministry of Defence plans to use MACA support for testing and vaccine rollouts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
NHS Defence
Context

The question arises from the ongoing need for support in managing the pandemic, particularly regarding military assistance.

Question

What support the armed forces are providing during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Answer from James Heappey

As part of the national covid-19 response, the Ministry of Defence has 13,500 personnel to assist in winter resilience operations, including logistical support and other specialist capabilities.

Answered
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Q2 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
NHS Defence
Context

The query stems from the recent deployment of armed forces to support local efforts during the pandemic and concerns about service numbers cut over the past decade.

Question

People in Chesterfield have had cause to be grateful to members of our armed forces, who helped to erect the coronavirus testing station at the Technique Stadium in Chesterfield. Of course, the armed forces would have been better placed to support the effort if we had not seen service numbers cut by 46,000 under this Government over the past 10 years, but can the Minister tell us whether the armed forces stand ready to offer mass testing in all tier 3 areas should the Health Secretary request that they do so?

Answer from James Heappey

Defence will generate as much as possible to meet Government needs. Currently, 13,500 personnel are ready and we can look at generating more if required. No demand signal has come from the Health Secretary yet, but if it does, we would respond accordingly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Previous service number cuts over a decade

How: Under Review, Looking At How We Might Generate More

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Q3 Rosie Cooper Lab
NHS Defence
Context

The concern is about the provision of adequate local accommodation and additional funds to ensure that military personnel can effectively carry out their duties in supporting testing and vaccine rollouts.

Question

Our armed forces have helped to deliver successful whole-town testing in Liverpool, and we have heard today that the Ministry of Defence plans to use MACA—military aid to the civil authorities—support for more testing and preparations to roll out covid vaccines. Can the Minister indicate whether good quality local accommodation, together with extra funds, will be provided to the armed forces to help them with this vital work?

Answer from James Heappey

Clearly, these are matters for operational commanders, but my expectation is that those deployed will be properly accommodated and fed while performing their duties.

How: Expectation

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Q4 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
NHS Defence
Context

The question is about the specific plans for deploying MACA to aid local authorities in managing the pandemic, especially given the recent successful testing efforts.

Question

I commend our world-renowned armed forces on their much valued efforts in the fight against the pandemic, especially when they recently helped to deliver successful whole-area testing. Will the Minister explain exactly how the Government plan to use MACA support for other areas in tier 3, such as my Slough constituency?

Answer from James Heappey

If local authorities feel they would benefit from military support, they should put in a MACA request. The MOD would resource that as done previously, and I can assist in generating such requests.

Partly answered

How: Put In A Maca Request

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