Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Scottish Government

Tuesday 8 June 2021 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government work closely with the Scottish Government to provide a co-ordinated approach to the response to covid-19 for the benefit of people across Scotland and the United Kingdom.
  • The UK Government have provided 1.2 billion in Barnett funding in the 2021 Budget to support the Scottish Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.
  • The UK Government are guided by science but consider all factors when making difficult judgments based on uncertain data during the pandemic.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
NHS Scotland
Context

The UK is experiencing a significant challenge due to delayed healthcare procedures, treatments, and operations following lockdowns. There are concerns about the NHS's ability to cope with these demands across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the Scottish Government in their response to the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

The UK Government work closely with the Scottish Government to provide a co-ordinated approach to the response to covid-19 for the benefit of people across Scotland and across the United Kingdom. The UK Government have provided £1.2 billion in Barnett funding in the 2021 Budget, procured more than 500 million vaccines for the whole of the UK, and ensured that testing programme reaches all parts of the UK.

Partly answered

How: Not Addressing Specific Support Measures Provided

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Q2 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
NHS
Context

There is a growing concern about the ability of the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to cooperate effectively after reopening following lockdowns.

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that the national health service in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can work together as easily as possible, sharing resources and services?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

My hon. Friend is quite right. The NHS operates across the whole of Great Britain with co-operation ingrained in its DNA. I am determined to ensure that wherever people live, they can access the best care. If a patient needs specialised treatment available only in another part of the UK, their access should not be restricted.

Partly answered

How: Not Providing Specific Steps Or Mechanisms For Cooperation

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Q3 Philippa Whitford SNP
NHS Scotland
Context

There are concerns that the Secretary of State's decision-making has negatively impacted Scotland's ability to combat the pandemic.

Question

Last September, he refused to follow Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies advice for an urgent lockdown. How can he explain why he did not follow scientific advice?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

The attempt at division within the NHS is deeply regrettable and does not align with what people want across the country. The UK Government are guided by science but take all factors into consideration when making difficult judgments based on uncertain data.

Not addressed: Specific explanation for not following SAGE's lockdown advice

How: Attacking Division Attempts, Not Addressing The Refusal

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Q4 Philippa Whitford SNP
Scotland
Context

There are concerns about delayed actions by the UK Government regarding hotel quarantine and adding India to the red list, which allowed more infectious variants to enter and become dominant in the UK.

Question

Having ignored the Scottish Government's call for all arrivals to undergo hotel quarantine and delaying adding India to the red list, is he concerned that removing social distancing will cause a surge among those not fully vaccinated?

Answer from Matthew Hancock

As I was saying, Mr Speaker—

Not addressed: Concerns about surge among those not fully vaccinated

How: Interrupting To Continue Previous Statement

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