Brexit Readiness: Operation Yellowhammer Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Brexit Readiness: Operation Yellowhammer

Alberto Costa Excerpts
Wednesday 25th September 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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No and no.

Alberto Costa Portrait Alberto Costa (South Leicestershire) (Con)
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On Monday there was a welcome announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care that, for up to six months, certain British citizens living in the EU—about 180,000 retirees and others—will have the cost of access to healthcare services in the EU met by the UK Government. What message does my right hon. Friend have for those vulnerable and elderly British citizens living in the EU who might fall ill after the six-month period and who cannot afford health insurance?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I thank my hon. Friend for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU.

On the broader point, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has written in precisely those terms, but we are also taking additional steps, member state by member state, to ensure access to healthcare. The NHS also stands ready to ensure that any UK national can get the treatment they need.