Covid-19: Economy Debate

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Baroness Rawlings

Main Page: Baroness Rawlings (Conservative - Life peer)

Covid-19: Economy

Baroness Rawlings Excerpts
Thursday 30th April 2020

(3 years, 12 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Fowler Portrait The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)
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Lord Sharkey. No? I call the noble Baroness, Lady Rawlings.

Baroness Rawlings Portrait Baroness Rawlings (Con)
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My Lords, what is essential? Does the Minister agree that mental stability is vital for prosperity and well-being? If so, does she agree that gardening and the arts are essential for the mind, just as food is for the body, to keep this nation prosperous and sane and to save lives?

Baroness Penn Portrait Baroness Penn
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The Government are very conscious of the impact that this pandemic may be having on people’s mental health and well-being. That is something that we will take into account as we look at the social distancing measures that we have in place. I know that many arts organisations are undertaking a lot of innovative work to bring arts into people’s homes. With regard to garden centres, we are working closely with the Horticultural Trades Association to see what can be done as we look at the easing of these measures.