Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the Office for National Statistics was of (a) designing, (b) building and (c) running the winter covid infection survey in (i) 2022-23 and (ii) 2023-24.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 1st April is attached.
Asked by: Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring the Office for National Statistics to continue to publish covid-19 data.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The COVID-19 Infection Survey has provided vital information to inform critical Government decisions across the United Kingdom. This has shaped the response to the pandemic and made a great difference to our understanding of COVID-19.
As we have transitioned into Living with COVID-19 the approach to COVID-19 surveillance is being actively reviewed to ensure it is proportionate, cost effective and considered alongside how we monitor a range of other infectious diseases that present a similar threat.
The UK Health Security Agency will continue to publish regular reports on COVID-19 which will contribute to our situational awareness, these include our weekly surveillance reports, which provide data on infection rates and hospitalisation numbers. We also maintain the ability to track the latest variants through our genomics capabilities which assess the risks posed by different strains of the virus.
Asked by: Mary Kelly Foy (Labour - City of Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the Office for National Statistics’ surveillance of covid-19 infection rates has been paused.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The approach to COVID-19 surveillance is being actively reviewed to ensure it is proportionate, cost effective and considered alongside how we monitor a range of other infectious diseases that present a similar threat.
The UK Health Security Agency will continue to publish regular reports on COVID-19 which will contribute to our situational awareness. These include our weekly surveillance reports, which provide data on infection rates and hospitalisation numbers. We also maintain the ability to track the latest variants through our genomics capabilities which assess the risks posed by different strains of the virus.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the decision of the Office for National Statistics to end updates to its Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest insights publications as of 24 March 2023.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will continue to publish regular reports on COVID-19 which will contribute to our situational awareness. These include weekly surveillance reports, which provide data on infection rates and hospitalisation numbers. UKHSA also maintains the ability to track the latest variants through its genomics capabilities, which assess the risks posed by different strains of the virus.
The approach to COVID-19 surveillance is being actively reviewed to ensure it is proportionate, cost effective and considered alongside how we monitor a range of other infectious diseases that present a similar threat.
Asked by: Mary Kelly Foy (Labour - City of Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact the decision to pause Office for National Statistics surveillance of covid-19 infection rates on immunocompromised people who use that data to determine which precautions to take.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The UK Health Security Agency will continue to publish regular reports on COVID-19, including weekly surveillance reports, which provide data on infection rates and hospitalisation numbers. UKHSA also maintains the ability to track the latest variants through their genomics capabilities which assess the risks posed by different strains of the virus.
We will continue to communicate to people most vulnerable to COVID-19 about available clinical interventions, including vaccination and treatments, as well as testing and public health advice.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to provide funding for the Office for National Statistics covid-19 infection survey after March 2023.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
We are currently considering next steps for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, which has been an important tool in developing our understanding of COVID-19. We appreciate the contributions made by members of the public who have participated in the survey.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of continuing the ONS Covid Survey; and what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending funding for the ONS Covid Survey beyond March 2023.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care meets regularly with other Cabinet colleagues. We are currently considering next steps for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, which has been an important tool in developing our understanding of COVID-19. We appreciate the contributions made by members of the public who have participated in the survey.
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Office of National Statistics on the funding of the Covid-19 Infection Survey beyond March 2023.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
Discussions are ongoing on the future funding of the COVID-19 Infection Survey beyond March 2023, we are considering all options.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Goole and Pocklington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April 2022 to Question 153746, on Coronavirus: Surveys, if he will publish the timetable for sharing information on polling commissioned by the Government at the start of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Edward Argar
The Cabinet Office is working with suppliers to finalise campaign evaluation reports. This is a complex process given the amount of data generated during the Covid-19 pandemic and we want to avoid any misleading publication of findings. We aim to begin publishing reports by the end of the year.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to help mitigate potential bias in the Covid-19 infection survey following its digitisation.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Questions of 4 July is attached.