Living with Covid-19

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Roberts of Llandudno

Tuesday 22nd February 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park (Con)]

As I said in response to the noble Baroness, we are working with manufacturers in the UK to encourage the build-up of supply and capability in this country and we will continue to do so because we want resilience in this area.

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD)]

My Lords, may I remind the House that we are not dealing with one nation but with four nations? The devolved Administrations —Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales—all take their own decisions and rightly so because they held referendums and so on to give that authority to the particular nations. What discussions have taken place to try to get some resolution? For instance, yesterday I was on the train from Llandudno Junction—a wonderful area for a holiday—and I had to wear my mask until I got to Shotton; at Shotton we were entering England so I could discard my mask. Have we learned any lessons at all about international UK relations following this pandemic?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park (Con)]

We have worked very closely with devolved Administrations throughout the pandemic to effectively support citizens but, of course, health is a devolved issue so the Administrations have made their own decisions. We have also provided £860 million to the devolved Administrations so they can take the precautions they consider necessary on top of the combined £77.6 billion confirmed in the autumn Budget, so we have worked well together. As I say, however, devolution means that it is for the Administrations to decide their way forward. I believe the First Minister of Scotland, for instance, made an announcement today about changes to the rules in Scotland so I think we are moving forwards together, albeit perhaps at a slightly different pace.

Covid-19: Early Years Sector

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Roberts of Llandudno

Wednesday 20th January 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD) [V]]

[Inaudible.]

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) (Con)]

Could the noble Lord ask his question please?

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD) [V]]

[Inaudible.]

Covid-19: Vaccine Trials

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Roberts of Llandudno

Wednesday 13th January 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I do not have specific information on the Bangladeshi community and how many took part in the trials. I only have the information on BAME communities as a whole. These distinctions are quite hard to draw sometimes, but certainly if that information is available, I will write to the noble Baroness.

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD) [V]]

I welcome this Question, because it shows how we are all in this together, without regard to nationality, ethnic group or blood group. The Prime Minister said that the two nurses helping him most when he was in hospital were from Portugal and from New Zealand. The first vaccine came from Belgium. We are all in this together. The virus is no respecter of persons. Neither are we relying on our own people to nurse and to be medics—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) (Con)]

I am sorry, my Lords. We have asked people to keep their questions short, so that everyone can ask their question.

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD) [V]]

All I ask is for an assurance from the Minister that, when this is over, those on the front line who have been so devoted to us will be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom and not cast to one side.