Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine Vaxrevia ended in the UK; and for what reason that vaccine is no longer available.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was first deployed in England in January 2021. Having reached the end of the supply agreement with the Government, the vaccine has not been used in the United Kingdom’s COVID-19 vaccination programme since 2022. Since September 2021, in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the vaccines deployed in the national programme have primarily been mRNA vaccines that were considered to provide a strong booster response.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what date he met representatives of those (a) injured and (b) bereaved as a result of Covid-19 vaccine damage; and what steps he has taken as a result of that meeting.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care met with the families of those who have suffered serious side effects from the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine on 11 September 2024. The families raised the need for the reform of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, and they requested a compensation scheme for those affected. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care listened to their concerns and agreed that the Government will look closely at this, as it continues to learn and apply the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 9409 on Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, if he will launch a consultation with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to increase the limitation period for court claims relating to Covid-19 vaccines.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
It would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on individual claims or cases whilst there is ongoing litigation. It is right that such matters follow the appropriate legal process, which can take time. There are, however, currently no plans to launch a consultation on increasing the limitation period for court claims relating to COVID-19 vaccines.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 9410 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, whether any line extensions to covid-19 vaccinations have been authorised to tackle reported adverse side effects, other than for the side effects listed in that Answer.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No modifications or line extensions to the original vaccines have been introduced to reduce side effects.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet with Professor Adam Finn to discuss the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (a) 60% threshold, (b) levels of payments in the context of levels of inflation and (c) the potential impact of those factors on levels of public confidence in vaccines.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Whilst there are currently no plans to meet with Professor Adam Finn, the Government continues to listen carefully to the concerns raised about the Vaccine Damages Payment Scheme. As part of this consideration, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care met recently with Vaccine Injured and Bereaved UK, and other representatives of those who have suffered harm.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress the Environment Agency and Natural England have made on facilitating reinstatement of the Avon Valley footpath between Christchurch and Burton.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The closure of the footpath in this location is because there are breaches in the banks of the Hampshire Avon along Winkton Common upstream of Christchurch. These breaches have worsened over the last 6 months because of the exceptionally high-water levels in the river.
The Environment Agency (EA) is working with the Meyrick Estate, South West Water (SWW), Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and Natural England (NE) to understand and mitigate the long-term implications. We are jointly exploring potentially significant environmental benefits in the form of new wetland habitat, but there are a number of important considerations, such as assets owned by SWW which run across the common.
While the EA is neither responsible nor funded to maintain the banks of the river in this location, we are supporting Natural England in their work with the Meyrick Estate to identify a long-term alternative route for the footpath. NE have worked with the Meyrick Estate on a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier application which will include a review of public access in this area and aim to identify a new sustainable route for the footpath.
We recognise that the situation is frustrating for those who want to access the Avon Valley footpath, but changes in river levels associated with climate change do mean that the historic route is likely to be unsustainable.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many dedicated charging points for electric vehicles belonging to hon. Members are available in the House of Commons underground car park; how many and what proportion of those charging points are fast chargers; whether those charging points are free at the point of use; and whether an estimate has been made of the average cost to the public purse of electricity consumption from the use of those charging points during a sitting week.
Answered by Nick Smith
There are two dedicated electrical vehicle charging points in the underground car park. This is supplemented by 12 key controlled socket outlets that provide trickle charging. Owners with certified and PAT tested chargers can request a key to use the sockets for trickle charging. There are no fast chargers.
The New Palace Yard Underground Car Park Project is exploring the installation of new charging points. Users of these charging points would be expected to pay for the service. Currently charging is free at the point of use. No estimate has been made of the cost as consumption from these points is not measured separately.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 8098 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, whether any line extensions to Covid-19 vaccinations have been authorised to tackle reported adverse side effects.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The most common side effects observed with COVID-19 vaccines are pain and swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headaches, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, and diarrhoea. These side effects are similar to those seen with other vaccines and are usually mild or moderate, and get better within a few days after vaccination. A full list of side effects is presented in the Patient Information Leaflet for each vaccine. Modifications or line extensions to the original vaccines, specifically to reduce these side effects, have not been introduced.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to provide (a) healthcare and (b) financial support to people whose applications to the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme were rejected on the basis that they do not have a severe disablement that exceeds the 60% threshold.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We expect that individuals whose claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) have been rejected on the basis that they do not meet the 60% disability threshold would receive the same level of treatment and care from the National Health Service as those with any other long-term condition requiring support.
The VDPS is not a compensation scheme. It does not prejudice the right of the disabled person to pursue a claim for damages through the courts. Other Government support remains open to claimants with a disability or long-term health condition, including Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Attendance Allowance, and Personal Independence Payments.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the cost to his Department is of the study by Winning Moves of experiences of the Warm Home Discount.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have commissioned RSM UK Consulting in consortium with Winning Moves to evaluate the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Further information is available on: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search