Co-ordinated Response to Covid-19 Devolved Administrations 2020-11-11
2020-11-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Affairs Committee reported a deteriorating relationship with the main issue being trust. There are concerns over lack of mutual understanding.
What recent steps his Department has taken to help ensure co-ordination between Scotland and the other nations of the UK in response to the covid-19 outbreak?
An effective response to covid-19 does indeed need to be a co-ordinated response across the UK. On 25 September, the UK Government and the three devolved Administrations published a joint statement on our collective approach to responding to covid-19. There are very regular meetings at both ministerial and officials levels.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address any specific work done by the department to improve awareness of devolution among Whitehall officials.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Different tier systems and lockdown restrictions are applied across the UK, including Scotland.
What is the Minister's understanding of the application of the furlough scheme in Scotland and the other nations of the UK, given that Scotland is operating under a different tier system and different lockdown restrictions?
The lockdown scheme extends across the UK and is available whether a part of the UK—or a part of each nation within the UK—is in lock- down or not. It is there for everyone.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Affairs Committee described a deteriorating relationship and lack of mutual understanding between the UK and Scottish Governments.
What work has the Secretary of State undertaken to improve awareness and understanding of devolution among Whitehall officials, so that policy makers have mutual understanding of the impact of decisions on each nation of the UK?
There are very regular discussions between all Government Departments and devolved Administrations at many levels—be that in Health, Transport or Education. I think that there is a widespread understanding of the need to balance UK-wide interventions with allowing local flexibilities where circumstances dictate.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide any specific work undertaken by the Secretary of State for improving awareness and understanding.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about taxpayers' money being used for anti-independence activities.
Will the Minister confirm or deny that taxpayers' money is being used to employ consultants with the sole purpose of producing and promoting negative propaganda to encounter the increasingly successful campaign for Scottish independence? Is that not to the detriment of co-operation between the nations?
Forgive me, Mr Speaker, but I am not quite sure what that has got to do with the response to coronavirus.
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Assessment & feedback
The question is not directly answered; instead, it is dismissed as irrelevant to the topic of coronavirus response.
Dismissive Language
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A potential covid vaccine is announced with significant logistical challenges ahead.
What work are the UK and Scottish Governments undertaking together to build an infrastructure that will be able to distribute and administer any future vaccines to everyone?
Referring to his initial comments, I was delighted that President-elect Biden spoke to our Prime Minister ahead of any other European country. The hon. Gentleman's substantial question is a very important one and it illustrates the extent to which the UK Government and the devolved Administrations can and should work together. The vaccine—as he said, we are not quite there yet, but it gives very strong hope—is purchased by the UK Government on behalf of the whole UK. The distribution, the prioritisation of the vaccine will be a matter for the devolved Administrations.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details about joint work for vaccine infrastructure.
Irrelevant Praise
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Millions of people are not receiving support despite lockdowns continuing.
Will the Scotland Office demand that the Chancellor reconsiders and provides support to those taxpayers left without any help from this Government?
A wide range of support is available for businesses and individuals across the UK, including bounce back loans, tax deferrals, mortgage holidays. In addition, the Chancellor has provided to the Scottish Government unprecedented levels of support, going up by an additional £1 billion.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address demanding reconsideration for those left without support.
Providing Alternative Schemes
Response accuracy