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UK Covid live: Dido Harding rejects claims test and trace only having marginal impact on transmission UK Covid live: Matt Hancock leads news briefing as country records another 599 coronavirus-related deaths
(32 minutes later)
Latest news: Dido Harding facing questions from public accounts committee; UK records 599 further Covid deaths and 37,535 cases Health secretary says NHS under ‘significant pressure’ with record number of Covid patients in hospitals; UK records 599 further Covid deaths
Q: What are the plans to protect people working on the front line?
Hancock says the vaccination programme is targeting the most vulnerable. That will help, he says. But he accepts the questioner wants to know what will happen now.
Hopkins says the MHRA has approved lateral flow tests for exceptional use. That will allow more community testing, she says.
Hancock says 4,062,501 people in the UK have now been vaccinated. He says the UK is vaccinating people at more than double the rate of other countries in Europe.
More than half of over-80s and more than half of care home residents have now had the first dose of the vaccine, he says.
And he praises places like Slough, where he says all care home residents have now been vaccinated.
Hancock starts by reading out the latest data. (See 4.22pm.)
He says there are 37,475 people in hospitals in the UK with Covid. That is the highest figure during the pandemic, he says. He says hospitals are under “significant pressure” in all parts of the UK.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, is about to hold a press conference at No 10.
He will be with Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, and Prof Susan Hopkins, a senior medical adviser at Public Health England.
HuffPost’s Paul Waugh has more from the public accounts committee hearing.
In the Commons Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow work and pensions secretary, has just opened the debate on Labour’s motion calling for the £20-per-week universal credit uplift to be maintained.
Here is the Labour motion.
And here is the government amendment - effectively an alternative proposal.
During opposition day debates MPs vote on the main motion before amendments and, with the Tories abstaining on the Labour motion, it is certain to be passed. That means the Tory amendment won’t be put to a vote.
Twice as many people died of Covid in England in December than the next most-common cause of death, rising to almost triple the rate in Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
In the final month of 2020 there were 233.6 Covid deaths per 100,000 people in England and 374.4 deaths per 100,000 people in Wales.
The second most common cause of death in December 2020 was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, at 112.0 deaths per 100,000 people in England and 121.2 deaths per 100,000 in Wales.
The fact that Covid deaths outstripped other causes of death in both November and December contributed to coronavirus being the leading cause of death in England and Wales last year.
In 2020 as a whole Covid was the main cause of death in 12.1% of all deaths in England and 11.7% of all deaths in Wales (this statistical bulletin concentrates on deaths “due to” Covid, as opposed to those where it was a contributory factor in the death).
The second-most common cause of death in both countries was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which accounted for 11.6% of all deaths in England and 10.4% of those Wales across the full year.
In December, more than a fifth of deaths in England were directly caused by Covid-19 (20.8%), rising to almost a quarter (24.3%) when counting all deaths where coronavirus was a contributory factor.
The equivalent figures for Wales show that 27.4% of deaths registered in December were due to Covid, rising to 31.3% of deaths which involved coronavirus.
There has been a row in Wales today about whether or not the government there is delaying the distribution of some vaccine doses. Mark Drakeford, the first minister, said it was, but Kirsty Williams, the education minister, said it wasn’t. (See 4.08pm.)
This is what a Welsh government spokesman has said in an attempt to clarify the matter.
Earlier at the public accounts committee hearing David Williams, the second permanent secretary at the Department of Health, would not deny reports that some consultants working on test and trace had been paid £7,000 per day. When asked about those reports, he said he did not want to comment on specific contracts. But he claimed that consultancy firms were not charging their normal public sector rate, and that he did not think they were taking advantage of the government.Earlier at the public accounts committee hearing David Williams, the second permanent secretary at the Department of Health, would not deny reports that some consultants working on test and trace had been paid £7,000 per day. When asked about those reports, he said he did not want to comment on specific contracts. But he claimed that consultancy firms were not charging their normal public sector rate, and that he did not think they were taking advantage of the government.
These are from Andy Cowper, a Health Service Journal columnist.These are from Andy Cowper, a Health Service Journal columnist.
Later, when asked about the number of consultants from Deloitte working on the programme, Williams said there were about 900 - down from 1,000 in October. He said they were paid on average around £1,000 per day. Later, when asked about the number of consultants from Deloitte working on the programme, Williams said there were about 900 – down from 1,000 in October. He said they were paid on average around £1,000 per day.
The home secretary, Priti Patel, has commissioned an internal review into the loss of hundreds of thousands of records from a police database, policing minister Kit Malthouse told MPs in a Commons statement. The home secretary, Priti Patel, has commissioned an internal review into the loss of hundreds of thousands of records from a police database, the policing minister, Kit Malthouse, told MPs in a Commons statement.
Public Health England (PHE) said a further 599 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the UK total to 89,860.Public Health England (PHE) said a further 599 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the UK total to 89,860.
As PA Media reports, separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 105,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.As PA Media reports, separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 105,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.
PHE also said a total of 4,062,501 people in the UK have received the first dose of a vaccine.PHE also said a total of 4,062,501 people in the UK have received the first dose of a vaccine.
As of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 37,535 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.As of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 37,535 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 3,433,494.It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 3,433,494.
The figures should be available on the government’s dashboard later.The figures should be available on the government’s dashboard later.
According to the Metropolitan police, 14 people had been issued with fines after the protest in Westminster this morning by lorry drivers representing the fishing industry.According to the Metropolitan police, 14 people had been issued with fines after the protest in Westminster this morning by lorry drivers representing the fishing industry.
A spokesperson from Eyemouth-based DR Collin & Son, who were taking part in the protest, said: A spokesperson from Eyemouth-based DR Collin & Son, which was taking part in the protest, said:
Asked about the protest, Boris Johnson claimed there were “great opportunities” for the industry after Brexit. He said:Asked about the protest, Boris Johnson claimed there were “great opportunities” for the industry after Brexit. He said:
He also said a £23m compensation fund was available to help fish suppliers who have genuine buyers available in the EU. (See 3.38pm.)He also said a £23m compensation fund was available to help fish suppliers who have genuine buyers available in the EU. (See 3.38pm.)
At the Welsh government’s coronavirus briefing earlier Kirsty Williams, the education minister, claimed there was no delay in the distribution of vaccines in Wales. She said:At the Welsh government’s coronavirus briefing earlier Kirsty Williams, the education minister, claimed there was no delay in the distribution of vaccines in Wales. She said:
Earlier in the day Mark Drakeford, the first minister, said doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were being used gradually so that supplies would last six weeks. (See 1.19pm.)Earlier in the day Mark Drakeford, the first minister, said doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were being used gradually so that supplies would last six weeks. (See 1.19pm.)
A man who travelled 30 miles to take pictures for a photography competition and nine people who got together for a “gender reveal party” were among those who were issued with fixed penalty notices this weekend by South Wales police.A man who travelled 30 miles to take pictures for a photography competition and nine people who got together for a “gender reveal party” were among those who were issued with fixed penalty notices this weekend by South Wales police.
The force received almost 400 reports of possible breaches to Covid regulations and stopped 143 cars in three hours on the Gower peninsula, with “the vast majority of people found to have travelled without reasonable excuse.”The force received almost 400 reports of possible breaches to Covid regulations and stopped 143 cars in three hours on the Gower peninsula, with “the vast majority of people found to have travelled without reasonable excuse.”
Other rule breakers included parents who drove to test out their daughter’s quad bike at fields in Bridgend and a group who got together to watch football in Swansea.Other rule breakers included parents who drove to test out their daughter’s quad bike at fields in Bridgend and a group who got together to watch football in Swansea.
Officers have also warned a group of up to 30 young people to stop “free running” over rooftops in Barry.Officers have also warned a group of up to 30 young people to stop “free running” over rooftops in Barry.
Boris Johnson has been speaking to broadcasters on a visit to the Oxford BioMedica plant at Oxford. (See 3.16pm.) Here are some of his main points.Boris Johnson has been speaking to broadcasters on a visit to the Oxford BioMedica plant at Oxford. (See 3.16pm.) Here are some of his main points.
Johnson said the future of the £20-per-week universal credit beyond March was still under review. Asked about tonight’s vote on the Labour motion saying the uplift should remain, he said:Johnson said the future of the £20-per-week universal credit beyond March was still under review. Asked about tonight’s vote on the Labour motion saying the uplift should remain, he said:
He also claimed Labour would abolish universal credit. He said:He also claimed Labour would abolish universal credit. He said:
Earlier Sir Keir Starmer said this claim was a “completely false point”. (See 1.34pm.) According to today’s Financial Times, one option being considered by the government is to abolish the weekly uplift by replacing it with a one-off payment of £500, or perhaps even £1,000. But the Resolution Foundation’s Torsten Bell has argued that one-off payments would not be the right solution.Earlier Sir Keir Starmer said this claim was a “completely false point”. (See 1.34pm.) According to today’s Financial Times, one option being considered by the government is to abolish the weekly uplift by replacing it with a one-off payment of £500, or perhaps even £1,000. But the Resolution Foundation’s Torsten Bell has argued that one-off payments would not be the right solution.
Johnson said 4 million people have now been vaccinated. He said:Johnson said 4 million people have now been vaccinated. He said:
According to the figures published yesterday afternoon, 3.8 million people in the UK had then had a first dose. Today’s full figures will be available later.According to the figures published yesterday afternoon, 3.8 million people in the UK had then had a first dose. Today’s full figures will be available later.
Johnson stressed that the easing of restrictions would be “gradual”. He said:Johnson stressed that the easing of restrictions would be “gradual”. He said:
He dismissed claims there was an element of postcode lottery in provision of the vaccine. “I think actually the whole of the UK is going very well,” he said. “And, overall, the pace of the rollout is very encouraging.”He dismissed claims there was an element of postcode lottery in provision of the vaccine. “I think actually the whole of the UK is going very well,” he said. “And, overall, the pace of the rollout is very encouraging.”
He said a £23m compensation fund was available to help fish suppliers who have genuine buyers available in the EU. He said:He said a £23m compensation fund was available to help fish suppliers who have genuine buyers available in the EU. He said:
Harding says the service is more than reaching the target set by Sage, that it should reach more than 60% of contacts within 72 hours.
The system has got better “very, very fast”, she says.
Q: How many care homes are getting two tests a week for staff, and one test a week for residents?
Harding says she thinks 100% of care homes have been doing weekly PCR tests since September. She says lateral flow tests, which give rapid results, have now been rolled out too. And she says since early December care homes have been able to do twice weekly lateral flow testing, in addition to the PCR testing.
She says care homes are also testing staff daily if there is an outbreak.
NHS England has announced 532 further coronavirus hospital deaths. The details are here.
A week ago today the figure was 489, and two weeks ago today the figure was 376.
The Labour MP Nick Smith goes next.
Q: How effective is test and trace?
Harding says you can measure that in a number of ways.
She says in October test and trace was reducing R, the reproduction number, by between 0.3 and 0.6.
And she says by March that should be a reduction of between 0.5 and 0.8.
She says the service is breaking chains of transmission.
She says that every minute 965 people are being swabbed.
She says every minute of the working day 198 people a minute are being successfully traced.
And she says the test-and-trace infrastructure is helping to provide the analysis as to how the disease is spreading.
Q: How does that square with Sage saying a few months ago that your impact on transmission was “marginal”?
Harding says Sage said that a while back. She does not accept that. She thinks the service is having a “material” impact.
UPDATE: Harding told Smith.
Meg Hillier, the Labour chair of the committee, asks about mass testing in schools, and why the MHRA has not approved the approach being adopted by the government.
Harding says it is not quite right to say the MHRA do not approve.
She says schools have been doing this on a pilot basis. The evidence is being shared with the MHRA.
The Commons public accounts committee has just started taking evidence in a hearing on NHS Test and Trace. The witnesses are Dido Harding, head of the organisation; Sir Chris Wormald permanent secretary, at the Department of Health; David Williams, the second permanent secretary at the department; and Jonathan Marron, director general for community and social care at the department.
There is a live feed at the top of the blog.
Harding says she was asked by the PM at the start of May to launch a test and trace service by the end of the month. She was already chair of NHS Improvement, she says. Asked why she accepted, she says:
Asked about the main lesson she has learned, she says that you can only deliver a service like this as part of an integrated network of different organisations. Everyone has to play their part, she says.
Sir Keir Starmer accused the government of trying to blame fishing communities for the issues caused by Brexit. Referring to today’s protests at Westminster, he said:
In the Commons last week George Eustice, the environment secretary, suggested the problems being encountered by the fishing industry would ease once they got used to dealing with the new paperwork.
At the lobby briefing this morning the Downing Street officials talking to journalists spent quite a lot of time trying to defend two particularly provocative statements from ministers yesterday.
The PM’s press secretary, Allegra Stratton, claimed that Boris Johnson was not comparing activists using Twitter to criticise Tory MPs over universal credit to the mob that stormed the US Capitol in a message yesterday. In a WhatsApp message to MPs explaining why the Conservatives would abstain in tonight’s vote (see 9.20am), Johnson wrote:
This message implies that intimidation was a reason for the Conservative party abstaining, instead of voting against the Labour motion, but Stratton said the party was abstaining because now was not the day for the government to be announcing how it would replace the universal credit uplift when it ends in March. She claimed the Labour motion was a “stunt” because Labour knows the chancellor will be coming forward with an alternative plan. (That is true, but the crucial point is that it has not said yet what the alternative is. Labour says it should just continue with the £20-per-week uplift.)
Stratton said the PM’s message yesterday referred to the abuse some MPs received after they voted against extending free school meals last year. Asked if the PM felt that the intimidation of MPs on social media was being encouraged by Labour, she said that was not something she had heard the PM say. Asked if the PM was saying that the criticism of MPs on Twitter was like the storming of the Capitol in the US, she said:
Asked if the PM regretted some of his own inflammatory language during the last parliament, when he accused anti-Brexit MPs of wanting to “surrender” to Brussels, she just said the key thing was that he wanted people to be civil in future.
Downing Street was unable to provide any evidence to back up Robert Jenrick’s claim in an article yesterday that “town hall militants and woke worthies” are pulling down statues without public support. (See 10.56am.) Asked to provide an example of this, the prime minister’s spokesman just made a broad point about the government being in favour of educating people about Britain’s heritage, not taking down statues. Asked why Jenrick criticised Birmingham council for giving new streets names like “Diversity Grove” and “Humanity Close”, and whether that was wrong, the spokesman said Jenrick’s article was mainly about statues. The naming of streets was a matter for councils, the spokesman said. When it was pointed out to him that Birmingham council chose these names after a consultation with the public, and when he was asked if the council was wrong to do this, the spokesman just urged reporters to read Jenrick’s article. At this point the briefing got faintly comic.
Speaking to reporters on a visit to Streatham in south-west London, Sir Keir Starmer said Conservatives like Boris Johnson were making a “completely false point” when they accused him of wanting to abolish universal credit, as they have been doing repeatedly in recent days. (We heard that line again from Allegra Stratton, the prime minister’s press secretary, at the No 10 lobby briefing today – more on that coming up soon.) Starmer said:
Labour is committed to replacing universal credit with a supposedly better system – not just abandoning the payment of benefits, as some of the Tory comments imply.
As my colleague Steven Morris reports, Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has defended his government’s decision to string out the use of tens of thousands of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine until new supplies become available - instead of using them as quickly as possible.
But the BMA Cymru Wales, which represents doctors, has said it is “extremely concerned” about the policy.