This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52377087

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Coronavirus: Government facing fresh questions over EU equipment scheme Coronavirus: Government facing fresh questions over EU equipment scheme
(about 4 hours later)
The government is facing fresh questions over the time it took to join an EU scheme to source medical equipment.The government is facing fresh questions over the time it took to join an EU scheme to source medical equipment.
Officials have insisted the UK did not receive an initial invitation in time because of communication problems.Officials have insisted the UK did not receive an initial invitation in time because of communication problems.
But Brussels sources have told the BBC the UK was given ample opportunity to take part in the scheme.But Brussels sources have told the BBC the UK was given ample opportunity to take part in the scheme.
On Tuesday, a senior civil servant retracted claims the UK had taken a "political decision" not to join.On Tuesday, a senior civil servant retracted claims the UK had taken a "political decision" not to join.
Last month the government was criticised for not taking part in the EU plan to bulk buy medical equipment - including potentially life-saving ventilators, protective equipment and testing kit - that could be used to tackle the coronavirus.Last month the government was criticised for not taking part in the EU plan to bulk buy medical equipment - including potentially life-saving ventilators, protective equipment and testing kit - that could be used to tackle the coronavirus.
At the time, Downing Street said the UK was making its own arrangements because it was no longer in the EU, although ministers denied claims that anti-EU sentiment had played a part in the decision.At the time, Downing Street said the UK was making its own arrangements because it was no longer in the EU, although ministers denied claims that anti-EU sentiment had played a part in the decision.
Opposition parties accused the government of putting Brexit before public health.
Downing Street later issued a statement saying the UK had been invited to take part but officials did not see the email because of a "communication confusion".Downing Street later issued a statement saying the UK had been invited to take part but officials did not see the email because of a "communication confusion".
Asked on Tuesday why the decision was taken not to join the scheme, Sir Simon McDonald - who is permanent secretary at the Foreign Office - told the Foreign Affairs Committee that it was a deliberate move by ministers.Asked on Tuesday why the decision was taken not to join the scheme, Sir Simon McDonald - who is permanent secretary at the Foreign Office - told the Foreign Affairs Committee that it was a deliberate move by ministers.
"We left the European Union on 31 January," he said."We left the European Union on 31 January," he said.
Pushed further, he added: "All I can say is that it is a matter of fact that we have not taken part. It was a political decision... and the decision is no."Pushed further, he added: "All I can say is that it is a matter of fact that we have not taken part. It was a political decision... and the decision is no."
But five hours later Sir Simon retracted his comments after Mr Hancock disputed the suggestion the decision not to participate had been a political one. But five hours later Sir Simon retracted his comments after Mr Hancock disputed the suggestion.
"Due to a misunderstanding, I inadvertently and wrongly told the committee that ministers were briefed on the joint EU procurement scheme and took a political decision not to take part in it," he wrote."Due to a misunderstanding, I inadvertently and wrongly told the committee that ministers were briefed on the joint EU procurement scheme and took a political decision not to take part in it," he wrote.
"That is incorrect. Ministers were not briefed by our mission in Brussels about the scheme and a political decision was not taken on whether or not to participate.""That is incorrect. Ministers were not briefed by our mission in Brussels about the scheme and a political decision was not taken on whether or not to participate."
He added that "the facts of the situation are as previously set out" and the UK missed the opportunity to take part "owing to an initial communication problem".He added that "the facts of the situation are as previously set out" and the UK missed the opportunity to take part "owing to an initial communication problem".
The UK now has 10,000 ventilators - 3,000 of which are not being used. From early May, 1,500 a week should be supplied by ventilator consortium.The UK now has 10,000 ventilators - 3,000 of which are not being used. From early May, 1,500 a week should be supplied by ventilator consortium.
However, sources present during Cobra meetings have told the BBC there were discussions about whether to work with the EU at the start of the pandemic.However, sources present during Cobra meetings have told the BBC there were discussions about whether to work with the EU at the start of the pandemic.
One minister present said that while there was no decision made during the conversations, it was clear there was an "added dilemma" because of the unfolding politics of our departure from the bloc.One minister present said that while there was no decision made during the conversations, it was clear there was an "added dilemma" because of the unfolding politics of our departure from the bloc.
Sources close to Health Secretary Matt Hancock strongly dispute there was any discussion about specific EU schemes.Sources close to Health Secretary Matt Hancock strongly dispute there was any discussion about specific EU schemes.
The UK has now joined the latest EU procurement round, which will initially involve therapeutic treatment. Speaking at Downing Street's daily Covid-19 press briefing on Tuesday, Mr Hancock said he had now signed-off on joining the EU scheme on an "associate" basis, but "the impact on our ability to deliver PPE is zero" .
The European Commission said the UK would miss out on the first orders of ventilators and protective equipment which have been placed but have yet to be delivered.
Speaking at Downing Street's daily Covid-19 press briefing on Tuesday, Mr Hancock said he had now signed-off on joining the scheme on an "associate" basis, but "the impact on our ability to deliver PPE is zero".
"There is no impact at all because the scheme has not yet made anything available", he added."There is no impact at all because the scheme has not yet made anything available", he added.
Meanwhile, an RAF plane sent to Turkey to pick up a shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) has arrived back at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, though it is not yet known exactly what supplies it contained.Meanwhile, an RAF plane sent to Turkey to pick up a shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) has arrived back at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, though it is not yet known exactly what supplies it contained.
The plane was originally expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday, reportedly bringing back 400,000 surgical gowns.The plane was originally expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday, reportedly bringing back 400,000 surgical gowns.
This is not an episode of Yes Minister, where the carefully crafted communications of top officials and ministers are fodder for jokes. The EU's Joint Procurement Agreement has four schemes.
But there is now a rather mysterious situation in Whitehall over some of the decisions that were taken, or not taken, at the outset of this crisis, over what has emerged as one of the trickiest issues. The first two are for personal protective equipment, including face masks, gloves, and liquid resistant clothing. The third is for ventilators, and the fourth is for laboratory equipment, mainly testing kits.
Read more The EU Commission has confirmed that the UK is not involved in any of them, and has not officially requested to be involved in any of them, despite being "repeatedly invited" by the EU to do so.
The first meeting to establish this joint procurement plan took place at the end of January, two days before the UK left the EU and entered the transition phase. Several other EU meetings on procurement took place, to which a UK representative was "not always there" according to EU officials.
On the 17 March, the procurement procedure was launched, and member states started a public tendering process for suppliers.
This scheme was international, so suppliers worldwide could take part. The selection process took five days, and the EU commission took five days to co-ordinate, having allowed the fast-tracking of procedures.
The EU Commission says they are now waiting for member states to put in their orders for the PPE and medical equipment they need. The first allocations will be in the "coming days and weeks".
The EU hasn't put a figure on the total bulk of purchases they've made yet, because "some countries are still finding more suppliers", but it's understood to be worth hundreds of millions of euros.
The EU says the UK can be part of a "procurement programme in future", as there are ongoing discussions about what else might be needed. There's now nothing formal for the UK to sign up to, at the moment.
The boat has been missed on the current programme.
Also at Tuesday's briefing, the health secretary announced that the first human trials for a vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, would begin on Thursday.Also at Tuesday's briefing, the health secretary announced that the first human trials for a vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, would begin on Thursday.
Mr Hancock said the government was "throwing everything" at developing an inoculation for the virus.
He said two leading vaccine developments at UK universities - Imperial College London and the University of Oxford - would receive a total of £42.5m to support their clinical trials.He said two leading vaccine developments at UK universities - Imperial College London and the University of Oxford - would receive a total of £42.5m to support their clinical trials.
"Both of these promising projects are making rapid progress and I've told the scientists leading them we will do everything in our power to support."
Mr Hancock also addressed the shortage of protective gear for the NHS, saying the government was talking to thousands of suppliers, but not all could deliver.Mr Hancock also addressed the shortage of protective gear for the NHS, saying the government was talking to thousands of suppliers, but not all could deliver.
It came as a number of British companies told the BBC their offers to help had gone ignored.It came as a number of British companies told the BBC their offers to help had gone ignored.
On Tuesday, the UK recorded another 823 coronavirus hospital deaths - taking the total number to 17,337.On Tuesday, the UK recorded another 823 coronavirus hospital deaths - taking the total number to 17,337.
Official figures also showed deaths hit a 20-year-high in England and Wales in the week up to 10 April - nearly double what would have been expected - driven by 6,200 fatalities attributed to coronavirus.Official figures also showed deaths hit a 20-year-high in England and Wales in the week up to 10 April - nearly double what would have been expected - driven by 6,200 fatalities attributed to coronavirus.
In other developments:In other developments:
How have you been affected by the coronavirus pandemic? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How have you been affected by the coronavirus pandemic? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or please use the form below:Or please use the form below: