Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Allan Dorans and Steve Barclay(1 year, 11 months ago)
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Allan Dorans (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (SNP)
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Steve Barclay)
We procured personal protective equipment at pace so that we could protect the frontline and save lives. In a highly distorted market, we worked around the clock to secure the life-saving PPE that we needed.
Allan Dorans
The Secretary of State will be aware of the high-profile reports in the media regarding Baroness Mone and her connection with PPE Medpro, contact with Government Ministers and the use of a VIP lane in relation to the procurement of PPE. Will he assure me—and more importantly the public—that a full and thorough investigation will take place into these matters and that, following that investigation, the report will be made public?
Steve Barclay
I can do much better than that. We have commissioned a full investigation and inquiry into the Government’s handling of covid and, as part of that, I am sure that the inquiry will look at PPE. But it is important to put it into context. We secured 23.2 billion items of PPE, which was a huge step, done at pace, to help protect our frontline.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Allan Dorans and Steve Barclay(4 years, 1 month ago)
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Steve Barclay
I am grateful that the right hon. Gentleman recognises the additional £9 billion of support that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has put into welfare. That is reflected, as the right hon. Gentleman will further recognise, in the distributional analysis showing that that has protected those on the lowest incomes. That support is temporary, but it does extend to the spring, and it helps those families facing covid with the challenges over the coming months.
Allan Dorans (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (SNP)
What fiscal support he is providing to mitigate the economic effects of the covid-19 outbreak. [907767]