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UK coronavirus live: Starmer accuses Johnson of 'catastrophic failure of leadership' over England lockdown UK coronavirus live: Starmer accuses Johnson of 'catastrophic failure of leadership' over England lockdown
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: PM tells MPs he makes no apology for trying to avoid a nationwide lockdownLatest updates: PM tells MPs he makes no apology for trying to avoid a nationwide lockdown
Jessica Morden (Lab) asks if furlough funding will be backdated in Wales, where a lockdown started more than a week ago.
Johnson says the government will support all parts of the UK.
Johnson says “it is fully [his] intention” that the lockdown will end on 2 December.
Stephen McCabe (Lab) asks if the PM has considered making way for someone with better leadership qualities. “No,” Johnson replies.
Douglas Chapman (SNP) asks again for an assurance that Scotland can requisition Treasury money for the furlough scheme whenever it needs it.
Johnson says the furlough scheme is a UK-wide scheme. He quotes the figures already spend in Scotland and says “more will be forthcoming”.
Richard Holden (Con) asks for an assurance that the schools will remain open during the lockdown, and that it will end on 2 December.
Johnson says the schools will remain open. And the measures will end on 2 December.
In an interview with ITV’s Peter Smith, Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Conservative leader, said “most objective people” would agree that Nicolas Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is a better communicator than Boris Johnson.
He also admitted that Johnson was damaging the case for the union. When it was put to him that Johnson had a -57% approval rating in Scotland, and Sturgeon a +49% one, and that this was helping the independence cause, Ross replied:
Smith said that was quite an admission. “You asked more for an honest answer,” Ross replied.
Charlotte Nichols (Lab) asks if the PM will apologise to people laid off before the furlough scheme was extended.
Johnson says fair-minded people will think the government has done as much as it can.
Richard Thomson (SNP) asks about this Sunday Times story about the head of the vaccine taskforce showing confidential government data to American investors.
Johnson says he thanks people who are working for the government pro bono. He does not address the substance of the story.
Steve Baker (Con) says the Public Health Act 1984 is subject to judicial review. He says the government should pass emergency legislation using the Civil Contingencies Act instead.
Johnson says the CCA has strict conditions applying to its use, one of which is that it can only be used if powers needed aren’t available elsewhere. But in this case they are, under the Public Health Act. So it is not appropriate, he says.
John Baron (Con) says the elderly should be given more leeway. Sweden recently abandoned specific advice for the over-70s.
Johnson says the government is not bringing back shielding. And he says Sweden is not quite as open as people think. Pupils over 15 are not back in school there, he says, whereas they are in England.
Greg Smith (Con) says many people stayed away from the NHS during the first lockdown, at a cost to their own health. What can be done to ensure that does not happen again?Greg Smith (Con) says many people stayed away from the NHS during the first lockdown, at a cost to their own health. What can be done to ensure that does not happen again?
Johnson says the government is acting now to ensure the NHS does not get overwhelmed.Johnson says the government is acting now to ensure the NHS does not get overwhelmed.
Simon Jupp, the Conservative MP for East Devon, asks for an assurance that “without a shred of doubt” the country will return to the regional approach in December.Simon Jupp, the Conservative MP for East Devon, asks for an assurance that “without a shred of doubt” the country will return to the regional approach in December.
Johnson says he can say without a shred of doubt that the restrictions will come to an end in December. (The regulations are time limited.) But what happens then will depend on the data, he says.Johnson says he can say without a shred of doubt that the restrictions will come to an end in December. (The regulations are time limited.) But what happens then will depend on the data, he says.
Lilian Greenwood (Lab) asks what will be done to ensure people in Nottingham who need healthcare this autumn will get it.Lilian Greenwood (Lab) asks what will be done to ensure people in Nottingham who need healthcare this autumn will get it.
Johnson says a colossal £34bn investment is being made in the NHS.Johnson says a colossal £34bn investment is being made in the NHS.
Back in the Commons Tony Lloyd (Lab) asks for an assurance that the trace element of test and trace will be made to work.Back in the Commons Tony Lloyd (Lab) asks for an assurance that the trace element of test and trace will be made to work.
Johnson repeats the point about capacity. (See 4.17pm.) But he says those contacted need to self-isolate. The government will make a “big, big push on that”, he says.Johnson repeats the point about capacity. (See 4.17pm.) But he says those contacted need to self-isolate. The government will make a “big, big push on that”, he says.
And here are some further figures from this afternoon’s update on the UK government’s coronavirus dashboard.And here are some further figures from this afternoon’s update on the UK government’s coronavirus dashboard.
The UK has recorded 18,950 further cases of coronavirus. That is 18% down on the total for yesterday (23,254) and 9% down on the total for Monday last week (20,890).The UK has recorded 18,950 further cases of coronavirus. That is 18% down on the total for yesterday (23,254) and 9% down on the total for Monday last week (20,890).
The UK has recorded 136 further deaths. That is 16% down on the total for yesterday (162) but 33% up on the total for Monday last week (102).The UK has recorded 136 further deaths. That is 16% down on the total for yesterday (162) but 33% up on the total for Monday last week (102).
Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee, asks the PM to publish an impact assessment for the lockdown.Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee, asks the PM to publish an impact assessment for the lockdown.
Johnson says many assessments have already been carried out. But, against that, you must consider the loss of life from not acting, he says.Johnson says many assessments have already been carried out. But, against that, you must consider the loss of life from not acting, he says.
Brady told Radio 4’s Westminster Hour last night that he was likely to vote against the lockdown on Wednesday. He described it as “totalitarian”. He told the programme:Brady told Radio 4’s Westminster Hour last night that he was likely to vote against the lockdown on Wednesday. He described it as “totalitarian”. He told the programme:
Karin Smyth (Lab) says the government should sack Dido Harding as head of NHS test and trace. She has been a failure, Smyth says.Karin Smyth (Lab) says the government should sack Dido Harding as head of NHS test and trace. She has been a failure, Smyth says.
Johnson says NHS test and trace has achieved its target of getting the testing capacity up to 500,000 tests per day by the end of October.Johnson says NHS test and trace has achieved its target of getting the testing capacity up to 500,000 tests per day by the end of October.
That figure has just been confirmed by an update on the government’s coronavirus dashboard.That figure has just been confirmed by an update on the government’s coronavirus dashboard.
But, as the graph shows, although capacity has increased significantly in the last week or so, the number of tests actually being carried out is rising much more slowly. Critics would say there is no point having the capacity if it is not being used.But, as the graph shows, although capacity has increased significantly in the last week or so, the number of tests actually being carried out is rising much more slowly. Critics would say there is no point having the capacity if it is not being used.
Sir Bernard Jenkin (Con), the chair of the liaison committee, says he will support the PM because no one else has set out a viable alternative. But he urges the government to publish a white paper on test and trace, and to publish more data behind the government’s decision making.Sir Bernard Jenkin (Con), the chair of the liaison committee, says he will support the PM because no one else has set out a viable alternative. But he urges the government to publish a white paper on test and trace, and to publish more data behind the government’s decision making.
In response to a question from David Davis (Con), Johnson says the government has been looking at the case for extending use of vitamin D and an announcement will come shortly.In response to a question from David Davis (Con), Johnson says the government has been looking at the case for extending use of vitamin D and an announcement will come shortly.
Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader at Westminster, says people in Wales have noticed that the government will only extend job support when jobs in the south of England are threatened. She says YesCymru, the independence movement, has gained 2,000 members in two days as a result. She thanks him for his contribution.
Stephen Metcalfe (Con) asks the PM to review the ban on outdoor sports like golf and tennis.
Johnson says the government has to break the chains of transmission.
Sammy Wilson (DUP) says we were promised a Churchillian response. But instead Johnson is more like Lord Halifax, he says. He says we should not be surrendering to the virus.
Johnson says the medical advisers are optimistic about the future.
Fay Jones (Con) criticises the Welsh government for creating artificial barriers between England and Wales.
Johnson says it is important people limit their travel.
Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says his party will back the lockdown. But he calls for the carers’ allowance to be increased in line with the increase in universal credit.
Johnson says he will look at the idea.
Charles Walker, a Conservative, says he will vote against the lockdown. He suggests we need a written constitution to guarantee people’s rights.
Johnson says he does not think that is necessary.
Iain Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, says he has repeatedly asked for the furlough scheme to be extended for Scotland.
But the government only complied when England needed it, he says.
He asks for a guarantee that the Treasury will fund a furlough scheme for Scotland whenever Scotland needs it.
Johnson says the answer is yes. The furlough scheme is a UK-wide scheme, he says. He says Blackford was talking nonsense. Furlough already applies up there, he says.
(Johnson is missing the point. The Scottish government wants an assurance that 80% furlough will apply there beyond November, if it needs a national lockdown, even if England is not in lockdown.)
Liam Fox, the former international trade secretary, suggests a new parliamentary committee should be set up to look at the case for a lockdown, to ensure the cure is not worse than the disease.
Johnson says that is a matter for the Commons. He says existing select committees have been looking at this already.
Johnson is responding to Starmer.
He says he makes no apology for trying to avoid a lockdown.
It was not wrong to support a local approach, or support test and trace. Both of those have done a “heroic job” in their way.
He says Labour should stop knocking test and trace.
People need to self-isolate more than they are doing, he says. And he implies that Labour’s criticism is hindering this.
He says the measures will end on 2 December. MPs will vote on what happens next.
He claims people want to see politicians working together.
Starmer says Labour will vote for the lockdown.
But it wants the government to use the time wisely.
He says it must fix the test and trace system.
Job support should be made at least as generous as it was in the spring.
And he asks the PM to clarify how the lockdown will end. Will it only happen when R falls below 1? Or will some areas exit lockdown first?
Starmer says Leicester has been under restrictions for 127 days already.