Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Regional Support

Monday 1 February 2021 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Defence provided support during the covid-19 outbreak by distributing PPE and diagnostic equipment, planning and staffing Nightingale hospitals, and conducting community testing.
  • Defence personnel from all three services support frontline NHS staff, both directly and in support roles, contributing significantly to the pandemic response.
  • Forty-two vaccine quick reaction force teams, consisting of 252 defence personnel, are deployed across seven NHS England regions based on NHS priorities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jonathan Gullis
NHS Defence
Context

The MP is inquiring about the extent of Defence's regional support in tackling the pandemic.

Question

What regional support has his Department provided in tackling the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from James Heappey

As part of the national covid-19 response, Defence has been active in all regions of the UK, providing support through the distribution of personal protective equipment and diagnostic equipment; planning, construction and staffing of Nightingale hospitals; conducting school and community testing; military support to NHS trusts; and supporting the vaccine programme. As of 27 January, there are approximately 14,500 personnel committed or at readiness, deployed in every region.

Answered
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Q2 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
NHS Defence
Context

The MP highlights the valuable support provided by military personnel to NHS services in her constituency.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that we should extend our deepest gratitude to the hard-working men and women who have been working on the frontline of this pandemic?

Answer from James Heappey

I certainly do. Defence personnel, from all three services, are employed in a range of roles to support frontline NHS services both providing direct clinical care and undertaking support roles to free up NHS staff. Their contribution has been of enormous benefit.

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Q3 Dehenna Davison
NHS
Context

The MP has witnessed the positive impact of the vaccination efforts and asks for an update on deployment.

Question

Could my hon. Friend update the House on how many of these teams have been deployed and to where?

Answer from James Heappey

42 vaccine quick reaction force teams comprising 252 defence personnel are deployed across seven NHS England regions to locations determined by NHS priorities. Their primary effort is to ensure the vaccine roll-out is equally paced across the country, reinforcing local NHS trust efforts.

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Q4 Jonathan Gullis
Defence
Context

The MP acknowledges the support provided by three military planners to the Staffordshire local resilience forum.

Question

Will he expand on the diverse roles that the military planners have carried out in the pandemic so far?

Answer from James Heappey

Military planners and their liaison officers help local authorities understand what the military could do, assisting MOD to get ahead of demand by lining up troops. The importance of these relationships at a local level is recognised as a key lesson for the Ministry of Defence.

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Q5 Stewart McDonald SNP
NHS Veterans
Context

The MP expresses gratitude towards the armed forces in Scotland and questions about future recognition.

Question

What plans does the Minister have to recognise the extraordinary effort and work of those in the armed forces working on the pandemic alongside such brilliant NHS staff?

Answer from James Heappey

The priority is to get on with the job at hand. However, there will be an eye on recognising their contribution when all this is done.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans for recognition were not provided

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Q6 Stewart McDonald SNP
NHS Defence Taxation
Context

The MP questions about a £500 thank you payment for NHS and social care workers and asks if MOD will match it.

Question

Will he match that for all UK personnel working here and abroad to help fight the pandemic in the upcoming Budget—yes or no?

Answer from James Heappey

I will, of course, have a look at what that might mean if, in return, the hon. Gentleman will consider taxing the armed forces less than the Scottish Government currently do.

Not addressed: The specific commitment on matching the payment was avoided

How: Taxing The Armed Forces

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