Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many COVID-19 lateral flow tests have been carried out in (1) Lancashire, (2) Pendle and, (3) Burnley, each week since the mass testing programme using these tests started; and whether such tests are now available on request to members of the public whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Answered by Lord Bethell
The following table shows the number of tests carried out per week in Lancashire since mass testing in started on 21 October 2020.
Week commencing | Number of tests |
21 October 2020 | 1 |
26 October 2020 | 1 |
2 November 2020 | 35 |
9 November 2020 | 331 |
16 November 2020 | 347 |
23 November 2020 | 462 |
30 November 2020 | 4,998 |
7 December 2020 | 2,974 |
14 December 2020 | 3,065 |
21 December 2020 | 2,885 |
28 December 2020 | 3,582 |
4 January 2021 | 15,899 |
11 January 2021 | 23,439 |
18 January 2021 | 33,450 |
25 January 2021 | 50,844 |
1 February 2021 | 57,173 |
8 February 2021 | 53,088 |
15 February 2021 | 32,655 |
The following table shows the number of tests per week in Pendle since mass testing started on 7 November 2020.
Week Commencing | Number of Tests |
7 November 2020 | 2 |
9 November 2020 | 5 |
16 November 2020 | 5 |
23 November 2020 | 11 |
30 November 2020 | 139 |
7 December 2020 | 63 |
14 December 2020 | 334 |
21 December 2020 | 83 |
28 December 2020 | 435 |
4 January 2021 | 1,103 |
11 January 2021 | 1,351 |
18 January 2021 | 2,397 |
25 January 2021 | 3,169 |
1 February 2021 | 3,398 |
8 February 2021 | 3,354 |
15 February 2021 | 2,139 |
The following table shows the number of tests per week in Burnley since mass testing on 13 November 2020.
Week Commencing | Number of Tests |
13 November 2020 | 5 |
16 November 2020 | 5 |
23 November 2020 | 45 |
30 November 2020 | 149 |
7 December 2020 | 67 |
14 December 2020 | 460 |
21 December 2020 | 160 |
28 December 2020 | 157 |
4 January 2021 | 967 |
11 January 2021 | 1,836 |
18 January 2021 | 2,665 |
25 January 2021 | 3,678 |
1 February 2021 | 4,128 |
8 February 2021 | 3,872 |
15 February 2021 | 2,769 |
From 10 December 2020, rapid regular testing for people without symptoms of COVID-19 has been made available across the country with the eligibility of the community testing programme expanded to cover all 314 lower-tier local authorities.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Transport for the North about (1) when the latter's report on the high-speed line between Leeds/Bradford and Manchester will be published, (2) any alternative routes, and (3) further consultation procedures.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Northern Powerhouse Rail Strategic Outline Case is expected to be published once it has been finalised with Transport for the North and approved by the Government, setting out the options under consideration. As with all major transport projects, route consultation will follow at the appropriate time.
Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by the Prime Minister on 22 February (HC Deb, col 626–8), whether they plan to provide advice to the public on returning to using public transport; and if so, when.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We maintained public transport services so that those who need to travel can continue to do so. Travel advice encourages people use active travel modes where possible and practice social distancing whilst travelling on the public transport network for those needing to make essential journeys.
As restrictions ease we will expect journeys on public transport to increase. Operators have put in place a whole range of measures, such as enhanced cleaning, so passengers can travel safely. We will continue to provide advice on how people can travel safely; this includes on public transport.