Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Office for National Statistics figures show that black people, African and Caribbean people are four times more likely to die from Covid-19 compared to the general population. The figure is also disproportionately high for Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian communities.
The Government keep saying that this virus does not discriminate, but that is not true. Office for National Statistics figures show that black people, African and Caribbean people are four times more likely to die from covid-19. The figure is also disproportionately high for Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian communities. What is the Prime Minister going to do now about this?
Yes. As the hon. Lady may know, we are looking at all the comorbidities associated with the coronavirus and all the reasons why people might be disproportionately affected. A rapid review is now being conducted by Professor Fenton, who will report at the end of the month about particularly vulnerable groups. We will take steps to ensure that they are protected where that is appropriate.
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Looking At This
Under Review
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The questioner submitted a formal expression of interest for a new rail line between Consett and the Metrocentre, connecting his constituency to Newcastle.
Today I submitted a formal expression of interest for a new rail line between Consett and the Metrocentre, connecting my constituency to the heart of the north-east in Newcastle. As part of the levelling-up agenda, may I ask the Prime Minister for his support for this scheme, as my constituents have supported him and me?
I congratulate my hon. Friend on his imagination and his plan for a new railway. It is entirely in keeping with our infrastructure revolution, and I can assure him that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will be getting back to him. I note that Nexus has already identified several possible extensions of the Tyne and Wear Metro scheme, which may be of advantage to his constituents.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The Health Secretary had previously stated: “Right from the start we've tried to throw a protective ring around our care homes.” This was contradicted by the chief executive of Care England, who said that despite this, there were cases where patients either did not have a covid status or were symptomatic when discharged into care homes.
Last Friday, the Health Secretary said: “Right from the start we've tried to throw a protective ring around our care homes.” That caused quite a reaction. Yesterday, it was flatly contradicted by the chief executive of Care England. He was giving evidence to the Select Committee on Health and Social Care, and he said that we should have been focusing on care homes from the start and that despite what is being said, there were cases where patients either did not have a covid status or were symptomatic who were discharged into our care homes. The Government advice from 2 to 15 April was: “Negative tests are not required prior to transfers/admissions into” care homes. What is protective about that?
As the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows full well—of course he is right to draw attention to what has happened in our care homes, and we mourn the loss of every victim—no one was discharged into a care home this year without the express authorisation of a clinician, and they have the interests of those patients at heart. As I said to him last week—he does not seem to have remembered—actually, the number of patients discharged from hospitals into care homes was 40% down in March on January. The guidance was changed to reflect the change in the epidemic, and that guidance was made available to care homes—and, of course, since the care homes action plan began, we have seen a sharp reduction in the number of deaths in care homes. Indeed, since I last stood before the House, the number of deaths in care homes has come down by 31%. I think he should pay tribute to all those who have helped to fight that epidemic across the NHS and across our local services.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The chief executive of Care England gave evidence to the Select Committee on Health and Social Care stating that routine testing has not started in care homes. The Government's Command Paper states that every care home for over 65s will have been offered testing for residents and staff by June 6th.
I think the Prime Minister rather missed the point. The question was whether people were tested going back into care homes. The chief executive of Care England says that because they were not, people who had no covid-19 status or who were symptomatic were discharged into care homes. That is a very serious issue that requires an answer.
I am afraid the right hon. and learned Gentleman is simply in ignorance of the facts. The reality is that already 125,000 care home staff have been tested, 118,000—[Interruption.] Perhaps he did know that. One hundred and eighteen thousand care home workers have been tested, and we are absolutely confident that we will be able to increase our testing, not just in care homes but across the whole of the community. Thanks to the hard work of my right hon. Friend the Health Secretary and his teams, we will get up to 200,000 tests in this country by the end of this month.
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Under Review
Looking At This
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Q5
Partial Answer
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The chief executive of Care England gave evidence to the Select Committee on Health and Social Care stating that routine testing has not started in care homes. The Government's Command Paper states that every care home for over 65s will have been offered testing for residents and staff by June 6th.
Again, the question was when would routine testing start, and the chief executive of Care England, who knows what he is talking about, gave evidence yesterday that it has not. [Interruption.] If the Prime Minister is disputing the evidence to the Select Committee, that is his own business.
I must say that I find it peculiar, because I have given the right hon. and learned Gentleman repeated briefings on this matter. He is perfectly aware of the situation in the UK as regards testing and tracing in early March. It has been explained many times to him and to the House. I think his feigned ignorance does not come very well.
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Disputing Evidence
Feigned Ignorance
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Q6
Direct Answer
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The UK reported 34,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus. Germany and South Korea have been effectively tracing cases for weeks.
Thirty-four thousand deaths is negative. The Prime Minister says “feigned ignorance”, but he knows that for 10 weeks there has been no tracing unlike in Germany and South Korea. Tracing is critical—there now appears to be some doubt about when the system will be ready. Can the Prime Minister indicate that an effective test, trace and isolate system will be in place by 1 June?
We have growing confidence that we will have a world-beating test, track and trace operation in place by 1 June. There will be 25,000 trackers able to cope with 10,000 new cases per day.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Careworkers from abroad are risking their lives during the pandemic. Some of them have to pay a surcharge of hundreds or thousands of pounds to use the NHS.
Does the Prime Minister think it is right that careworkers coming from abroad and working on our frontline should have to pay a surcharge of hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds to use the NHS themselves?
We must look at the realities. The NHS contributions raise about £900 million, and finding alternative sources is difficult in current circumstances.
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Assessment & feedback
Whether it's fair for foreign care workers to pay a surcharge to access NHS services
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Q8
Partial Answer
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The immigration health surcharge is set to increase from £400 per year to £624, putting a significant financial burden on care workers earning the national living wage.
Does the Prime Minister think it is fair that the fee in question, the immigration health surcharge, will require working for 70 hours at the national living wage to pay off the fee. Will he reconsider his view and exempt NHS and careworkers from this charge?
This Government are determined to invest more in our NHS than at any time in modern memory. We will want to see our fantastic frontline workers paid properly.
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Assessment & feedback
Whether the PM will reconsider exempting NHS staff from the immigration health surcharge
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Q9
Direct Answer
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SELRAP campaigns for reopening the Skipton to Colne railway line, with plans moving forward. Potential freight terminal is also being considered.
Can the Prime Minister assure me that Hyndburn and Haslingden will continue to be supported by potential investment in our town centres, business and transport links?
Hyndburn and Haslingden will continue to receive funding for their town centres, including 118 km of safe new green cycleways.
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Q10
Partial Answer
Ian Blackford
SNP
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The UK has the highest number of deaths in Europe due to COVID-19. Many NHS and care workers are from abroad.
I am sure the Government will be monitoring the situation and will seek to give all necessary support. Every week, members of this Government applaud our truly heroic NHS and care staff, who have been on the frontline of this pandemic, regardless of whether they were born here or elsewhere. The UK has the highest number of deaths in Europe, and without their sacrifice, we would be facing something much worse. Given their sacrifice, is the Prime Minister not embarrassed that this is how his Government choose to treat NHS and care workers?
This is a Government who value immensely the work of everybody in our national health service and our careworkers across the whole community. The reason for having an immigration Bill of the kind that we are is not to keep out people who can help in our NHS; on the contrary, we want an immigration system that works for the people of this country and works for our NHS.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether he feels embarrassed by treatment of overseas staff under new Bill
Providing General Statement About Valuing Care Workers
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Q11
Partial Answer
Ian Blackford
SNP
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The Government is pushing an immigration Bill that defines many in the NHS and care sector as low-skilled workers.
The harsh reality is that the Prime Minister does not even pay NHS and care staff the real living wage and wants to block many of them from working here at all. We need an immigration system that is fit for purpose. The Home Secretary and the Prime Minister seem hell-bent on implementing a purely ideological immigration policy with no basis in fairness or economics. The Government have talked about giving back to our NHS and care staff. It is time for him to deliver. People migrating to these nations and choosing to work in our NHS and care sector must have the Government's cruel NHS surcharge removed immediately. Will he make that pledge today, or will he clap on Thursday, hoping that no one really notices that he is giving with one hand and raking it in with the other?
First, the right hon. Gentleman mentions the living wage. This is the party and Government who instituted the living wage and have just increased it by a massive amount. Secondly, this is the party that is putting £34 billion into the NHS—the biggest investment in modern times—and believe me we will continue with that investment.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address removing NHS surcharge for foreign workers
Redirecting To Living Wage And Nhs Funding
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Q12
Partial Answer
Richard Drax
Con
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France is reviewing its defence supply chain for concerns over Chinese companies buying up defence-related businesses.
The Defence Select Committee heard recently that France is conducting a root-and-branch review of its defence supply chain following concerns that China is buying up defence-related companies that are going bust during the pandemic. Does my right hon. Friend think it might be wise to consider doing the same thing here in addition to rowing back from his plans to allow Huawei to roll out 5G?
I am sure there is a legal term for imputing to me a policy that I have not yet announced, but my hon. Friend is right to be concerned about the buying up of UK technology now by countries that may have ulterior motives, and we are certainly introducing measures to protect our technological base.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly state if a review will happen
Clarifying No Policy Has Been Announced
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Q13
Partial Answer
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The UK is at risk of crashing out without a data-sharing framework with Ireland for contact tracing during the pandemic.
In Ireland, both jurisdictions are working hard to organise contact tracing on a north-south basis, but the Prime Minister's obsession with avoiding a Brexit transition extension means we risk crashing out without a data-sharing framework, which will critically undermine our ability to protect people from covid-19. When will he put the lives of people in our community above petty, narrow Brexiteer politics?
I must respectfully disagree with the hon. Gentleman. We are working very closely not just with our colleagues in the Government in Northern Ireland but with our colleagues in Dublin. I had a very good conversation with Leo Varadkar the other day and we saw eye to eye on the way forward.
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Did not specify timeline for data-sharing framework
Stating Close Cooperation But No Specifics
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Q14
Partial Answer
Caroline Ansell
Con
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Eastbourne is recovering from the impact of the virus on its hospitality sector and tourism.
As a stunning coastal destination built on hospitality and tourism sectors hard hit by the impact of the virus, Eastbourne is none the less looking to bounce back when it is safe to do so and is part of work on a covid-secure kitemark to inspire public confidence. Does my right hon. Friend see merit in this, and when the coast is clear, will he visit?
I am sure the coast is always clear in Eastbourne. I will do my utmost to get there as soon as I can within the social distancing rules that we must all observe. We will look at the kitemark idea.
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Did not commit to supporting specific kitemark proposal
Acknowledging Consideration But No Commitment
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Women make up the majority of the workforce in NHS, social care sector, and schools.
Women make up the vast majority of the workforce in our NHS, social care sector and schools. However, there is only a handful of women on the SAGE committee and only one woman in the Cabinet has led the Downing Street briefing in the past eight weeks on very few occasions. Does the Prime Minister agree with me, as the chair of the largest group of female MPs in the House, that we need a change of tone and more female voices at the top of Government to reflect the majority of the UK population, almost 52% of whom are women? If not, why not?
Actually, I think that the hon. Lady has an extremely important point, and I have taken dramatic action, even before a reshuffle. The two most important appointments that we have made recently, after Lord Deighton doing the personal protective equipment, was Dido. One of the reasons we are making such fast progress now on test and trace is that Dido Harding has come on board, and Kate Bingham is leading the national effort to co-ordinate our search for a vaccine with other countries.
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Did not explicitly agree or disagree with need for more women's representation
Highlighting Recent Appointments Of Women
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Concerns over constituents who were employed before 19 March but are not eligible for the job retention scheme, especially those who have changed jobs recently.
I am very grateful for my right hon. Friend's hard work, and in particular, his commitment to doing whatever it takes to help people to make ends meet during this pandemic, but in West Dorset I have many constituents who were employed before 19 March who are not eligible to be furloughed under the job retention scheme—particularly those who have changed jobs. Will he look at this area again to see, please, what he can do to help those who have slipped through the net and those who have no financial support at this time?
Yes. We have pushed back the cut-off date in order to help people, but we are also looking to support people who are in difficulties with some temporary measures on welfare—the significant £1,040 increase in universal credit standard allowance and the working tax credit basic element. If there are particularly hard cases, I am happy to take them up.
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Did not address reconsidering eligibility criteria for furlough scheme
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Q17
Partial Answer
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A senior Government figure travelled a round trip of almost 700 miles to be physically present in the Chamber during the pandemic, breaching Scottish guidance on staying at home.
Will the Prime Minister condemn or condone the reckless behaviour of the Secretary of State for Scotland in making a round trip of almost 700 miles to be physically in the Chamber today, in clear breach of the guidance from the Scottish Government to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives, when he could easily have taken part in the proceedings virtually from the safety of his home? Condemn or condone, Prime Minister?
All I can say is, no, I will not, and I think that the Secretary of State for Scotland does an admirable job.
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Did not address the question whether to condemn or condone the travel
Admirable Job
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Q18
Partial Answer
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A constituent proposed a medal to recognise NHS workers and others who have distinguished themselves during the pandemic.
My constituent, Elizabeth Gull, has proposed the creation of a medal for NHS workers and others to recognise their distinguished service in their work against coronavirus. I think that this idea has merit. Will my right hon. Friend consider a medal or other accolade in the fullness of time for those who have gone above and beyond in the last few months?
As I am sure the whole House can imagine, we are indeed looking at the excellent suggestion made by my hon. Friend's constituent, Elizabeth. We are thinking how to recognise the work of healthcare staff, carers and many others, and we are engaging with staff and employers at the present time.
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Did not give a direct commitment on medal or accolade
Looking At The Suggestion
Engaging With Staff And Employers
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Q19
Partial Answer
Marion Fellows
SNP
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Concerns that the UK government might end the job retention scheme even if the Scottish government decides to continue a lockdown, potentially undermining devolution.
A senior Government figure told a reporter for that the UK Government will end the job retention scheme even if the Scottish Government decide to continue with the lockdown to save lives in Scotland. This would be an act from the UK Government that undermined devolution and the Scottish Parliament by slashing incomes to force Scots back to work when it is potentially unsafe. Will the Prime Minister agree to extend the job retention scheme in Scotland for the length of time that Scotland's Government and Parliament deem a lockdown necessary?
Perhaps I can just say that I continue to be very happy with the level of co-operation, in spite of what we sometimes hear in this Chamber, between the Governments of all four nations, particularly Scotland. I just remind the hon. Lady, of course, that Scotland has benefited from about £1 billion of coronavirus funding in the last period and will get about £3 billion overall.
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Did not address extending job retention scheme based on Scottish decisions
Level Of Co-Operation
Coronavirus Funding
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Q20
Direct Answer
Lucy Allan
Con
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Unemployment among young people in Telford has doubled compared to last year, with significant disruption to education and training.
Unemployment in the under-24 age group has already doubled in Telford compared with this time last year, and it is clear that the aftermath of the pandemic will hit our young people hardest, with disruption to education and training, as well as job losses. I know that my right hon. Friend is passionate about opportunities for young people, particularly in areas such as Telford, which has suffered disproportionately in previous recessions. Will he ensure that the recovery strategy focuses on young people and equipping them with the skills they need to survive in a post-pandemic economy and, indeed, thrive in the longer term?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to speak up for the young people of Telford and their immense potential, and that is why we will be supporting her and them with a new national skills fund worth £2.5 billion, so that young people can be at the very forefront of our effort to come out of this epidemic.
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