Business of the House

Florence Eshalomi Excerpts
Thursday 22nd September 2022

(2 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Florence Eshalomi Portrait Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall) (Lab/Co-op)
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The Leader of the House may be aware that there have been almost 3,600 cases of monkeypox in the UK, one of the highest numbers in Europe. Experts, including the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the Terrence Higgins Trust, the National AIDS Trust and PrEPster, have said that, without urgent action, monkeypox could become endemic in the UK. The Government’s public health response has been far too slow. Can we have an urgent statement so that we can get a grip on the situation and ensure that no one is left behind?

Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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I shall certainly make sure that the Secretary of State for Health hears what the hon. Lady has said. The Government have clearly done some things on this matter, in particular to try to raise awareness and give health advice, but I shall raise it with the relevant Department and ask the new Secretary of State to get in touch with the hon. Lady.