Contributions
3,496 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresLet me make a couple of points in response. First, we have turned around an incredibly difficult situation when the demand for PPE shot up. Thanks to the incredible work of Lord…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresI am not sure which evidence the right hon. Gentleman is pointing to, but I would be happy to talk to him afterwards.08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresThe reason having the R below 1 is important is that that is the rate at which the number of new infections continues to fall. When R is below 1, the question is how fast it is…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresYes, I would like to thank the carers of Beaconsfield for the work they have done through this crisis and before. I tell them that the value and esteem with which we hold them is…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresOne of the reasons why it is valuable to move together as one single country is that we have one overall economy and economic policy is for the whole country. That is one of the…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresIt is important that those engaged in the tourism industry follow the guidance on social distancing as carefully as possible. They should always follow those rules and ensure that…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresYes, that is absolutely right. It is just so important that we take into account all the evidence and all the studies that are published, and not just strongly focus on one.08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresThe hon. Lady asks an important question. We did make a change to the guidance, to recommend going outside. I know that some people were very worried about doing that, but it is…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresWe always keep these things under review. The challenge is that being 1 metre apart, face to face, means that there is a much greater chance of transmission of the disease than at…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresYes, and I have reconfirmed this with the chief medical officer. It is safe to take the steps that we have recommended to open schools for reception year, year 1 and year 6 right…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresI will talk to the Chancellor about that. It is obviously a question for a Department other than mine.08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresIn the first instance, where we have taken local action, it can often be in a care home or in a hospital. That would be the action that is needed, and it has been successful, in…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresThe hon. Gentleman asks an extremely reasonable question, and I hope that he sees that the Government have been incredibly front-foot about ensuring that that sort of provision is…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresYes. I think the whole House will join me and my hon. Friend in thanking all carers, paid and unpaid, in this Carers Week. This Carers Week is so different from normal because of…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresI am afraid that the hon. Gentleman has misquoted Professor Edmunds, and I think he should go and look at what was actually said.08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresYes, I do. My hon. Friend makes the point extremely strongly, and the people of Blackpool should be proud that they elected him December. He makes the case very clearly, and what…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresI am sure that Treasury Ministers will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s suggestion, but we do not need such a scheme now, of course, because the full furlough scheme is in…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresLike anybody who has a heart, I yearn for grandparents to be able to see their grandchildren. My own children saw their grandmother at a social distance, appropriately, rigorously…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresYes, that is absolutely right. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who makes the case for the evidence being the basis of policy and following and being guided by the science, as we…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Covid-19: R Rate and Lockdown MeasuresThey get data now; we want them to get better data; and we will keep improving the data flows. It is as simple as that.08 Jun 2020