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Covid-19: Community Response
24 June 2021
Lead MP
Lisa Cameron
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
SNP
Responding Minister
Luke Hall
Tags
NHSForeign AffairsMental HealthLocal Government
Word Count: 14077
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Lisa Cameron raised concerns about covid-19: community response in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Cameron urged the Government to ensure that future generations do not need food banks and to prioritise mental health recovery for young people. She also called for support in sustainable initiatives such as memorial forests to honour those lost during the pandemic.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Lisa Cameron highlighted the significant impact of local community groups and individuals who have provided support to vulnerable populations during the pandemic. She mentioned organisations such as the East Kilbride Covid-19 Network, Loaves and Fishes food bank, Moncreiff Parish Church, and VASLAN (Volunteer Action South Lanarkshire). These groups have distributed hundreds of thousands of meals, toiletry parcels, and mental health support packs. The work includes setting up emergency call centres, organising mindfulness sessions, and running various community events to combat loneliness and provide essential supplies.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Highlighted the critical role of community groups in Manchester Gorton during the pandemic, especially in providing food and support to those in need. Praised local initiatives for maintaining social connections through technology and virtual drop-ins, noting their impact on combating loneliness and mental health issues among older people.
Anne McLaughlin
Lab
Glasgow North East
Paid tribute to the individuals and organisations in Glasgow North East who went above and beyond during the main lockdown, highlighting three categories of champions: those continuing regular paid jobs under difficult circumstances, those whose roles changed completely, and volunteers. Mentioned various groups such as NG Homes, Brunswick youth centre, Glasgow Girls Club, Springburn Community Council, African Challenge Scotland, Milton group organisations, Citizens Advice, Lifelink, and the Scottish Pantry Network.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
She acknowledged the crucial role played by community groups in Upper Bann during the pandemic. Carla noted that food banks and volunteers distributed essential supplies, made PPE for healthcare workers, and checked on elderly neighbours. She emphasized the importance of recognising and supporting this sector through financial aid, volunteer recruitment, and promoting community participation among younger generations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon thanked the people of his constituency for their unity and dedication during the pandemic. He highlighted the efforts of local residents groups, community carers, district nurses, schools, and religious organisations that provided essential support to vulnerable individuals.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Paid tribute to community organisations and volunteers in Crewe and Nantwich for their role during the pandemic, mentioning specific groups such as Nadiah McKeown's Community Isolation Help Group, which was recognised by a local charity. He emphasized the importance of sustaining community spirit beyond the pandemic.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Mary Foy highlighted the extraordinary community response to the pandemic in her constituency, noting numerous examples such as schools and organisations producing PPE for frontline workers, restaurants donating food, youth groups continuing services online, and community groups supporting families. She emphasised that these efforts often filled gaps left by Government failure and stressed that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure no one lives in poverty.
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Paid tribute to the community response during the pandemic, highlighting contributions from NHS staff, frontline workers, and religious communities. Mentioned specific examples like Captain Sir Tom Moore raising over £32 million for NHS Charities Together and Dabirul Choudhury raising £150,000 through fasting in Ramadan.
Paul Bristow
Con
Peterborough
Praised the community's response to the pandemic in Peterborough, highlighting numerous individuals and organisations for their efforts, including food delivery services, meal provision for vulnerable groups, and support networks like churches, mosques, and charities. He commended local businesses for offering free meals and acknowledged diverse communities coming together.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Ms Maskell highlighted the generosity and community spirit in York during the pandemic, noting that thousands of people reached out to help neighbours or joined mutual aid groups. She mentioned specific examples like John and Julie McGall feeding over 100 people daily and delivering meals weekly, as well as collective restaurants providing 12,000 meals for those in need.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Gordon
Mr Thomson highlighted the community support initiatives in his constituency, including the Danestone Community Council's efforts to boost morale and the Rev. Dr Kay Gauld's resilience group in Insch providing essential supplies to isolated residents. He also mentioned the Ellon Baptist Church offering its premises to a local food bank during increased demand and commended Huntly's response to two gas network failures, noting the community's spontaneous actions to ensure safety and comfort.
David Amess
Con
Southend West
He thanked community champions for their work during the pandemic, highlighting local charities and individuals in Southend who have provided essential services to vulnerable people. He mentioned specific organisations such as the Music Man Project, Trust Links, HARP, and Off the Streets. Sir David also praised carers and the role of places of worship in supporting mental health and wellbeing. The Southend emergency fund has given almost £200,000 to help local charities.
Taiwo Owatemi
Lab
Coventry North West
Celebrated community champions in Coventry North West who have provided essential support during the pandemic, including Clare Allington-Dixon and her team at Urban Goodies for combating food poverty, Mark Halpin for Summer of Sunflowers initiative to combat isolation, Katie O'Sullivan's artwork, Langar Aid for helping homeless individuals, Hugh McNeill at Coventry Food Bank for a decade of service, faith groups for distributing food and supporting the vaccination scheme, volunteer litter pickers for keeping streets clean, and modern-day Godivas representing the city.
Virendra Sharma
Lab
Ealing, Southall
Recognised the efforts of faith groups and local businesses in Ealing, Southall for supporting vulnerable people during the crisis. Highlighted specific contributions such as food parcels distribution by religious institutions and cleaning initiatives like LAGER Can's 'Great Big Southall Clean-up'.
Government Response
Luke Hall
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Rees, I think for the first time. I extend the thanks of everybody here today to the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow (Dr Cameron) for securing this hugely important debate. This afternoon, we have seen the best of this House and heard about the best of Britain... We have the chance to thank communities, organisations and individuals for what they have done, and to thank people who have volunteered in any way over the past 18 months. I want to put on the record and promote the Prime Minister's Points of Light awards, which recognise all the work that has been done by those at the forefront of the response to the pandemic... The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has provided £23 million of funding to 60 councils and the voluntary sector to expand their work and to support those most at risk from covid. I want to leave the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow some time to wind up the debate, so I thank all hon. Members here today and, on the Government's behalf, everyone who has done so much in every corner of our country.
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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.