Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: UK-wide Response

Wednesday 20 January 2021 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State and the Minister continue regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and devolved Administrations on coordinating a UK-wide response to the covid-19 outbreak.
  • Northern Ireland is benefiting from the vaccine roll-out, which is a result of the Government's efforts to acquire and distribute vaccines across the UK.
  • Northern Ireland has the highest vaccination rate in the UK, with almost 6% of the population vaccinated, according to the Minister.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Roberts
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the co-ordination between different parts of the United Kingdom in handling the pandemic.

Question

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

Answer from Robin Walker

The Secretary of State and I continue to hold regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the devolved Administrations on this crucial issue. Although each devolved Administration controls their own public health policy, we have been co-ordinating our responses to covid, seeking alignment in policy and approach where appropriate to ensure that measures safeguard the health and wellbeing of the whole United Kingdom.

Answered
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Q2 Rob Roberts
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP wants to confirm the benefits of the vaccine roll-out for Northern Ireland and its reliance on co-operation among devolved Administrations.

Question

Obviously, the world-leading steps that the Government have taken to acquire and roll out the vaccine have benefited every part of the United Kingdom. Will my hon. Friend confirm that Northern Ireland is benefiting, and will continue to benefit, from this vaccine roll-out, which is only possible if our devolved Administrations continue to work together as one Union?

Answer from Robin Walker

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and I am pleased to see that Northern Ireland now has the highest vaccination rate in the UK, and, indeed, across any jurisdiction in Europe, with almost 6% of the population having been vaccinated. This clearly demonstrates the strength of the Union when we, as four nations, all work together. To date, over 114,000 people in Northern Ireland have successfully been vaccinated, including care home residents and health and social care staff.

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