Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Prime Minister, how many personal letters he has written to bereaved families of NHS and care staff who have died from covid-19.

I am acutely aware of the grief, heartbreak and loss suffered by families across the country as a result of this global pandemic.

I know first-hand the effect this terrible virus can have on someone and will always be thankful for the life saving care that I received at St Thomas’ hospital.

I write to the families of all NHS and care staff who have died from covid-19 in order to offer my condolences and to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of their loved ones.

In order to write, my office requires the relevant organisation to receive prior consent from the families that their personal information may be shared – which necessarily creates a slight time lag. I have so far sent 55 letters and will write to more families as soon as my office receives the relevant consents and information.