Covid-19 Inquiry
Debate between Judith Cummins and Alison Bennett(1 week, 1 day ago)
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Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) (LD)
The findings of the inquiry are a harsh confirmation of what we already knew. They are that the UK was woefully unprepared for the pandemic: the focus was wrong, the leadership was lacking and the lessons from past crises were not learned. I am sure I speak for all hon. Members when I say that our hearts remain with those who lost loved ones during that tragic time, and I thank the family members who are in the Public Gallery today.
To do right by them, crucially, we must ensure that this is a turning point. It is essential that the new Government take swift and decisive action to prepare for next time. I therefore welcome the Minister’s announcement of a pandemic response exercise this autumn; however, will that be a one-off or are further exercises planned and, if they are, how frequently?
As well as the different, more proactive approach to disease outbreak preparedness that Baroness Hallett cites in her report, we must invest in public health, rather than simply throwing money at crises when they materialise. One of the key findings is that health inequalities and a less healthy population has left the nation less resilient. Does the Minister agree that public health should be a priority and that the public health grant, with a proportion set aside for those experiencing the worst health inequalities to co-produce plans for their communities, would be a step in the right direction?
We need to help more people live more years of their life in good health. When I think back to those covid years, I think of the appalling loneliness and isolation of those in hospital or in care homes. Do the Government agree that patients and care home residents should be given a new legal right to maintain family contact in all health and care settings?
Finally, on resilience forums, will the Minister confirm what funding plans there are in future for resilience forums? I was aware before Christmas that there was some lack of certainty about that—certainly, that is what I was hearing from my own Sussex resilience forum. We cannot risk our country not being ready for the future, and those are important questions.
Point of Order
Debate between Judith Cummins and Alison Bennett
Alison Bennett
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. In today’s urgent question, the Minister for Secondary Care, the hon. Member for Bristol South (Karin Smyth), said that the Government would be introducing a “£100 million boost for adult and children’s hospices”, but neglected to say that this money would be available only for capital spending, as confirmed in the written statement published this afternoon. She repeatedly referred to the £100 million sum when asked about what steps the Government were taking to address the cost of national insurance increases for hospices, even though this money will not be available for staff costs. Has Mr Speaker received any indication from the Minister that she intends to correct the record?
Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)
I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of that point of order. While the Chair is not responsible for the content of contributions made by Ministers, I am sure that her concern has been heard by those on the Government Benches. If an error has been made in this instance, I am sure that the Minister will seek to correct it as soon as possible.