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Covid-19: Public Inquiry — [Mr Virendra Sharma in the Chair]
19 April 2022
Lead MP
Marsha de Cordova
Battersea
Lab
Responding Minister
Heather Wheeler
Tags
Women & Equalities
Word Count: 3468
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Marsha de Cordova raised concerns about covid-19: public inquiry — [mr virendra sharma in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Government to ensure that specific reference to disability is included in the inquiry's terms of reference. I also ask for assurances that disabled people will be at the heart of future pandemic preparations and that their needs are properly understood and prioritised.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on disabled people, who accounted for six in ten COVID-related deaths. The risk of death involving COVID was 3.1 times higher for disabled men and 3.5 times higher for disabled women compared to their non-disabled counterparts. Disabled people faced significant challenges in accessing essential services, financial support, education, employment, and goods and services during the pandemic.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Grateful for the establishment of the inquiry, John Hayes asked the Minister to include the death care sector in its terms of reference. He highlighted the extraordinary challenges faced by funeral directors, morticians, gravediggers, and bereavement councillors during the pandemic, urging access to PPE, organisation of funerals, and vaccination priority.
Government Response
Heather Wheeler
Government Response
Welcoming the debate on setting up an effective public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic, Heather Wheeler confirmed that Baroness Hallett would lead a period of public engagement before making recommendations to the Prime Minister. The draft terms of reference cover preparedness, health and care sector response, economic response, decision-making at various levels, and disparities in impact by protected characteristics. Over 20,000 individuals and organisations responded to the consultation. Baroness Hallett will make final recommendations in May, with public hearings beginning in 2023.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.