Oral Answers to Questions

Owen Thompson Excerpts

Tuesday 6th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local restrictions on reducing the rate of transmission of covid-19.

[Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP)]

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of lockdown restrictions on limiting the second wave of covid-19.

[Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab)]

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local restrictions on reducing the transmission of covid-19.

--- Later in debate ---

[Matt Hancock]

We are, as the hon. Gentleman said in his question, putting money into local councils in areas where local action needs to be taken. We have an open dialogue with councils and local mayors about what needs to be done. But I urge him, on behalf of all of his constituents in Sefton, that it is better to support the whole effort to control this virus, not just part of it.

[Owen Thompson]

The Mayor of London has warned that the virus is now spreading widely again across London, although vital knowledge is being hampered by the problems with test and trace. Are the Government now looking at introducing wider restrictions across London? As a matter of interest for this House, will the Cabinet Secretary, as a part of that, commit to reintroducing a hybrid Parliament in such a situation?

[Matt Hancock]

I discuss these matters with the Cabinet Secretary and other colleagues across government all the time, and I also speak regularly to the Mayor of London. We maintain vigilance over the transmission of the virus right across the country.