Contributions
3,496 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThere are no proposals to change the abortion rules due to covid-19.24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI will raise that question and make sure that the appropriate guidance is put on gov.uk.24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI agree with what my hon. Friend has said—and not just the first bit—but I repeat what I said in my statement. I want to be clear that, where people absolutely cannot work from…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThat sort of activity can technically be done from home and, where work cannot be done from home, employers should be following the guidelines to keep people more than 2 metres…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateIf they are essential, yes, but the aim here is to try to absolutely push down the speed of transmission of this disease over the next few weeks, to get a grip on its spread. That…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateYes; my hon. Friend makes a very important point.24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThe armed forces are doing an absolutely fantastic job of supporting civilian efforts, for instance in the NHS on the logistics of delivery of protective equipment and much more;…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI will make sure that the hon. Gentleman gets the phone number, so that he can pass it on to his constituent, and so that others in the same circumstances know how to make that…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateYes. My hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point, which is that we as a nation owe a debt of gratitude to those who work in the NHS, and we need to constantly search for…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateI will look into that point. The masks need to be clinically right; it is not for me to make that decision, but I will take this up with the chief medical officer.24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateYes. We solved several of the problems in the pension system at the Budget, and there are further solutions in the Bill. I have not come across any further problems in respect of…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateYes, absolutely—on all counts. I just want to add my thanks to all those working on the frontline, and throughout the NHS and social care, to my hon. Friend’s thanks to those in…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateWe will set out the breadth of the guidance precisely on gov.uk.24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateWith permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on covid-19. The spread of coronavirus is rapidly accelerating across the world and in the UK. The actions that we…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateAlthough I was not in the Chamber, I heard the comments that my right hon. Friend the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee made about this yesterday, and he is right to…24 Mar 2020HANSARDCoronavirus BillLet me make a little more progress in answering my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh), and then of course I will give way. The Bill is jointly agreed…23 Mar 2020HANSARDCoronavirus BillI do not think a legal change is needed to do that, because to second someone from one job to another is perfectly possible under existing employment law. In fact, the Bill brings…23 Mar 2020HANSARDCoronavirus BillI am surprised to hear that, because we have been very, very clear about universities, alongside schools. It is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Education…23 Mar 2020HANSARDCoronavirus BillThat really is a question for the Treasury. My understanding is that the 80% wage subsidy is for those who are furloughed, as the Chancellor put it, as opposed to those who have…23 Mar 2020HANSARDCoronavirus BillClearly, these are issues of the highest sensitivity. It is important that we take those measures in case they are needed in the circumstances where staff numbers available are…23 Mar 2020