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Coronavirus UK live: Boris Johnson faces Keir Starmer at PMQs Coronavirus UK live: Keir Starmer questions Boris Johnson over child poverty and struggling councils
(32 minutes later)
PM questioned by Labour leader; Hancock says government to write to 2.2m people shielding in England ‘very shortly’ amid confusion over end to measure PM faces Labour leader at PMQs; Hancock says government to write to 2.2m people shielding in England ‘very shortly’ amid confusion over end to measure
Hancock said the government is rolling out a risk assessment across England for all those with a higher risk of suffering from coronavirus, including BAME staff.
Conservative MP Jack Breteton asks if his constituents are safe to go out and shop.
Hancock said the virus transmission is going down and it is perfectly safe for people to go to the shops as long as people follow social distancing.
Hancock said we have enhanced the supply of PPE across the country.
He added that demand for PPE rose exponentially in this crisis across the world and it was challenging, but the government has come a long way.
The SNP’s Philippa Whitford asked why a multimillion pound contract about PPE was awarded to a pest control with no experience in providing PPE.
Jeremy Hunt said 20% of the people with the coronavirus are estimated to have caught the virus while in hospital. He asked when will the government plan to introduce weekly testing for all front line staff in hospitals and care homes.
Hancock said the government will bring forward the next policy for those shielding very soon.
Hancock said it is wrong to say student nurses are being made redundant, they are completing their placement and have been paid for it.
On lifting the lockdown, he said the government will “move carefully and cautiously.” He added: “We are winning the battle against this disease”.
Hancock said the government is working with local authorities on local lockdowns.
Ashworth also asked when the Public Health England recommendations on the impact of covid-19 on BAME communities be implemented? “Surely, now this is a matter or urgency,” he said.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said the country can me immensely proud of the science researchers working on drug treatments and vaccine.
He said the good news is tepid by the high death rate, pointing to the 58,000 excess deaths across England.
He asked: “why are student nurses who’ve joined the front line six months ago as part of the coronavirus effort now seeing their paid placement schemes terminated early leaving them with no income?”
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, is reading a statement during Commons urgent question on coronavirus.
He praises British scientists for the “live-saving breakthrough that was announced yesterday”.
Here’s more information on the recovery on Dexamethasone, a cheap steroid that has become the first life-saving treatment in the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that 240,000 doses of the drug dexamethasone are “in stock and on order”.He said: “It is not by any means a cure but it is the best news we have had.”
He added: “Seven other drugs are currently being trialled as part of the Recovery Trial and a further nine further drugs are in live clinical trials as part of the Accord Programme which is looking at early-stage treatments.”
Hancock said 592,204 people as of Tuesday have now had an antibody test on the NHS.
Half of companies would have to lay off staff within three months if the furlough scheme came to an end, according to a new poll.
PA Media reports:
The Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael asks about a rule that allows beef to be labelled as British if it is packaged here.
Johnson says that, if that is correct, the EU must be to blame.
Carmichael shakes his head.
Johnson says Carmichael would take Britain back into the EU. He says he won’t.
And that’s it. PMQs is over.
Julie Marson, a Conservative, asks about social impact bonds.
Johnson says he pioneered these as mayor of London. Those schemes are now being used in seven projects across the country to tackle rough sleeping.
The SNP’s Alan Brown asks about a company exploiting the furlough scheme.
Johnson says he is worried about reports of the scheme being abused. Firms should do what they can to help workers, because their workers will repay that loyalty.
Labour’s Stephen Timms asks the PM to suspend the “no recourse to public funds” rule, so that people covered by it can take advantage of the new school voucher scheme announced yesterday.Labour’s Stephen Timms asks the PM to suspend the “no recourse to public funds” rule, so that people covered by it can take advantage of the new school voucher scheme announced yesterday.
Johnson says this group should be able to take advantage of the school voucher scheme.Johnson says this group should be able to take advantage of the school voucher scheme.
And he says there are other funds available to help people covered by the “no recourse to public funds” rule.And he says there are other funds available to help people covered by the “no recourse to public funds” rule.
Johnson says the government will soon bring in legislation to protect veterans from vexatious prosecutions.
Labour’s Tulip Siddiq asks about furlough support for newly-shielding people. She says the PM said people who were newly-shielding should be able to apply. But the government has not confirmed that, she says. Has there been a U-turn?
No, says Johnson. He says the scheme should be available.
Labour’s Christian Matheson asks the PM to confirm that his advisers did not have any discussions with Robert Jenrick about the Richmond Desmond planning application.
Johnson says he did not have any discussions with Jenrick about this, and as far as he is aware is officials did not either. But he says the cabinet secretary will respond to Matheson’s letter on this.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, a Conservative, asks the PM to support a summer programme for pupils, and a catch-up plan for the autumn.
Johnson agrees. And he says all MPs should say schools are now safe. He accuses Labour of “wibble, wobble” on this.
Sir Ed Davey, the acting Lib Dem leader, asks the PM to accept the need for an extension of the Brexit transition.
Johnson says Brexit will bring benefits. The government should get on with it, he says.
Bim Afolami, a Conservative, asks Johnson if he will look at the ideas Afolami published in a report today to help business.
Johnson says he has studied the report. Afolami should wait for what the chancellor has to say, he says.
The SNP’s leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, says Macus Rashford has shown more “moral leadership” on child poverty in days than the government has in a decade. Will the government uplift the child element of child tax credit and universal credit by £20 a week?
Johnson says it has already been increased. But he says he is “fully aware” that there will be tough times a week.
Blackford says £20 a week to help families with children is what he is asking for. that would make the difference between families having to pay bills or feed their children. He says the PM is more interested in spending money on vanity projects, like a VIP plane. Is he saying he won’t spend £20 a week to help families survive?
Johnson says that is not the case. He says the government has put its arms around people to support them.
Starmer repeats the point about it being Johnson’s job to answer the questions.
He turns to the NHS surcharge. Migrant health workers are still having to pay it, even though the government was supposed to abolish it for health and care workers. When will it go?
Johnson says it is vital NHS or care workers get helped. If they have had to pay it since May, it will be reimbursed.
Starmer says Johnson does not recognise how serious this is. Councils have done everything asked of them. The government hasn’t. Will the PM do something?
Johnson says the government is supporting councils. But some councils are not doing that. Labour councils won’t open schools. Will Starmer says schools are safe?
Starmer says if Johnson wants to swap places, he is welcome.
Johnson mentioned £3.2bn going to councils. But councils say they need £10bn, he says. He says Tory council leaders have said this. Why has Johnson been so slow to act?
Johnson says he has acted. He says he wants kids to go back to schools. The teaching unions won’t let Starmer say schools are safe, he says.