Contributions
1,745 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this most important of issues. In the way he phrased his question, he reflects just how difficult it is to strike the right balance in…13 Jan 2022HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateFirst, I agree with every word my hon. Friend says about pregnant women. That is a message that has been reinforced to every NHS trust. I thank her for how she has campaigned on…13 Jan 2022HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThat is an important point. When the country first discovered omicron, the tests that were in stock were not designed for another huge wave. However, the people who run testing at…13 Jan 2022HANSARDCovid-19: PANORAMIC National StudyOn 20 October 2021, the Government announced the procurement of two ground-breaking novel oral antivirals to treat UK covid-19 patients, supplemented by the announcement of…12 Jan 2022HANSARDCovid-19 Vaccination ProgrammeThe UK’s covid-19 vaccination programme continues to protect the nation against the virus. In light of the omicron variant, we have accelerated the deployment of the vaccination…05 Jan 2022HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateThe UK’s covid-19 vaccine programme continues to work tirelessly to protect the nation against the virus. As of 14 December, 51.2 million people have now received their first…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthThat is a very fair question, as always from my hon. Friend. In the measures we are setting out, we are taking into account the very best advice we are being given—this includes…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthThe hon. Gentleman may have heard earlier, when I started my remarks, that I talked about what I said at this Dispatch Box in July and, specifically, about the risk of a…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI must make some progress, but I will take further interventions in a moment. I wish to talk about the importance of what we have learned about omicron and the vaccines. Vaccines…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI shall indulge my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen) because he is going to be really short.14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI beg to move, That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 1400), dated 9 December 2021, a copy of…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthIt is of course important that we keep measures under review, but, for the reasons I gave earlier, I will continue to present this set of measures to the House. They strike the…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthWhat I can tell my right hon. Friend is that there are approximately 6,000 people in English hospitals who have tested positive for covid, and of those—I have shared information…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI thank my hon. Friend for sharing that with the House. I think it is important to hear that support from South African experts too.14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthWe all want to relax. I wish I was more relaxed now than I already am. My hon. Friend is absolutely right on that, and I agree with him.14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthYes, I can confirm that to my right hon. Friend. First, he is absolutely right to make that point. Of course it is not just about individuals entering hospital but about how many…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI will consider that. My right hon. Friend is right to point out that this is a fast-moving situation and it is right that the Government continue to monitor it and respond when…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI of course understand the importance of my right hon. Friend’s question; as he said, he asked it yesterday and, understandably, has asked it again today. I hope he will…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthThe hon. Gentleman will know that some measures are already in place such as the ability to get sick pay from day one and that there are hardship funds, but I understand the hon.…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthThe covid-19 pandemic has caused upheaval across the world, forcing Governments everywhere to wrestle with how to keep their citizens safe while protecting the liberties that we…14 Dec 2021