Contributions
1,745 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic HealthThe settings to which this measure would apply include, of course, NHS hospitals, and GP and dental practices, regardless of whether a provider is publicly or privately funded.…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI must make some progress. I will take some interventions later. The regulations—statutory instrument No. 1416—cover a small number of settings that present a particular risk:…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthYes, I absolutely accept that point. With previous variants of covid, we have seen forecasts and estimates—whether from academics, think-tanks or others—that have been completely…14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI will do so later. In England, 10 people are confirmed to have been hospitalised with the omicron variant. I know that some hon. Members have said that, because confirmed…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 HealthIf my right hon. Friend will allow me, I am about to come to precisely the point he raises. The second thing about omicron that I want to share is that, although we do not yet…14 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 shall indulge my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen) because he is going to be really short.14 Dec 2021HANSARDPublic HealthFirst, I think my hon. Friend, if I heard him correctly, talked about the “Government’s measures on lockdown”. I am not sure where he has seen these measures on lockdown, because…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 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 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 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 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 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 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 2021HANSARDPublic HealthI will, but then I will need to make some progress.14 Dec 2021