Covid-19 Response Throughout the UK 2020-10-07
2020-10-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner is concerned about the need for a coordinated UK-wide approach to managing the ongoing covid-19 outbreak.
What recent steps has he taken to help ensure a co-ordinated response to the covid-19 outbreak throughout the UK?
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. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to suppressing the virus to the lowest possible level and keeping it there while we strive to return life to as normal as possible for as many people and businesses as possible.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The questioner is concerned about the level of cooperation between the UK Government and the Scottish Government regarding covid-19 testing facilities.
He raised this matter with the Secretary of State for Health because of local concern that people in the south of England were being asked to travel to Inverness for covid tests. He is concerned about the level of co-operation between the two Governments and seeks specific examples of such cooperation.
There are examples of UK-funded measures that have been delivered but managed locally by the devolved Governments: we have six UK-funded drive-through testing facilities; four, or five as I believe it is, walk-through testing facilities; and up to 22 mobile testing facilities, some of which have been used to effect in the hon. Gentleman's constituency.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Covid-19 cases are rising rapidly in Scotland, parts of the north of England including his own constituency, leading to tighter restrictions. These restrictions are impacting the economy, particularly on tourism and hospitality businesses.
Given the impact that these restrictions are now having on the economy, especially on those hardest-hit sectors, will he ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to revisit his previous refusal to continue the furlough scheme with a sectoral-based approach in those nations and regions of the UK that are worst affected?
The UK Government have provided a host of measures to support tourism and hospitality businesses throughout this crisis. As well as the job retention scheme, which has already been extended to the end of October, new measures announced in the Chancellor's winter economic statement include the new job support scheme, the extension of the very welcome reduction in VAT to 5% for hospitality and tourism, the deferral of VAT and other tax payments and greater flexibility in the paying back of Government-backed loans.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy