Oral Answers to Questions

Liz Twist Excerpts

Thursday 13th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op)]

2. What support he is providing to businesses and the voluntary sector to support key services affected by the omicron variant.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)]

12. What support he is providing to businesses and the voluntary sector to support key services affected by the omicron variant.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

14. What support he is providing to businesses and the voluntary sector to support key services affected by the omicron variant.

--- Later in debate ---

[Steve Barclay]

I recognise the seriousness of the case. On behalf of all colleagues in the House, I am sure, I express our sympathy for the family concerned. As he will know, it is difficult to comment on individual cases. He will also be aware that under plan B, employees are encouraged to work from home where possible. I am happy to flag the case to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, who oversees the body concerned. My right hon. Friend is balancing the need to address those employment issues with the importance of getting testing boosted when it comes to HGVs, cars and others. But he will pick up the case and I will raise it with him.

[Liz Twist]

During the pandemic, charities have played a hugely important part in supporting people, particularly those in need of help and more vulnerable older people. Does not the Minister agree that it would have been better to have involved those charities in the planning right from the start? Can we learn that lesson for the future?

[Steve Barclay]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the importance of charities, including in the pandemic response more widely. That is why we have had a package of £750 million of support for charities, which indicates their importance and how they have been involved throughout the pandemic.