Contributions
1,127 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI am sure we would all like to pay tribute to everyone who has worked so amazingly quickly to help to develop both the Oxford vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine. I can assure my noble…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateAs the noble Earl rightly says, we have created the £1.57 billion culture recovery fund, of which £500 million in grants has already been awarded to more than 3,000 museums, music…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThe noble Baroness refers to an extremely important issue. Through this dreadful time, we can all agree that the programme to help get rough sleepers into accommodation has been…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI can say to the noble Baroness that currently we are allocating the vaccine doses based on the business as usual Barnett formula. As I have said, we will begin to publish daily…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI can certainly assure my noble friend that, obviously, this will be kept under review—but the UK CMOs agree with the JCVI that the evidence shows that one dose of either vaccine…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateWe are continuing to work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing on updated guidance. I think that with the new strain, and the figures we are seeing…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateAs I said in a previous answer, we have bought more than 1 million laptops and tablets for disadvantaged people, which are being distributed. By the end of the week we will have…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateAs my noble friend will know, primary legislation provides that local elections take place in May. The Cabinet Office is working with election administrators and public health…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateWe will be, and we are, looking at additional measures for international travel. Pre-departure testing is an option that we are considering for an extra layer of protection, which…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateAs I said, as supply becomes more available, community pharmacies will be involved in the programme as we roll things out, so conversations are certainly ongoing.07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI entirely agree with my noble friend. He is absolutely right about the £729 million that we have provided to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Of course, as we have already…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI think all the devolved Administrations are working closely with central government. As I mentioned in response to a previous question, we are allocating vaccine doses based on…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateWhat I can say to the noble Baroness is that within schools, vulnerable children and those of key workers can still attend, and we intend that early years settings remain open.07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateAs I mentioned in a previous answer, those who have been vaccinated still need to follow the rules, as the challenge we currently face is that we do not yet know how the vaccine…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI thank my noble friend for his questions. He is absolutely right. We entirely agree that schools and colleges are the best place for children and young people to be, not just for…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI thank the noble Baroness and the noble Lord for their comments and questions. I wish the noble Baroness a very happy birthday. I hope she enjoys a gin or two later, as I am sure…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI am very happy to raise those issues with both the Department of Health and the Treasury. I am sure that my noble friend Lord Bethell in particular will be able to keep the noble…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI can assure the noble and right reverend Lord that PHE will be employing existing surveillance systems and enhanced follow-up of cases to monitor how effective the vaccine is in…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateYes, I can give the noble Lord that assurance. Work is already ongoing, but he is absolutely right: it is critical.07 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateMy noble friend is absolutely right: I am pleased to say that more than 1.3 million people across the UK have already received the first dose of the vaccine—as he said, it is more…07 Jan 2021