Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Hemsworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the (a) advice and (b) guidance provided by (i) the Chief Medical Officer and (ii) Public Health England which informed the decision to allow pubs and restaurants to open only as a takeaway service under tier 2 covid-19 restrictions from 3 December 2020.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Government is committed to publishing data that has informed its decision making, including the tier allocations. The Department publishes a weekly watchlist giving epidemiological COVID-19 data for each lower tier local authority in England. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-cases-by-local-authority-epidemiological-data
Detailed data on hospital activity is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/
Our public dashboard on the progress of the virus across a range of metrics is updated every day at the following link:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
The Contain framework sets out how national and local partners work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks, this includes through allocation of areas to the appropriate tier which is available at the following link:
Epidemiological data and projection models on local restriction tiers, including commentary on individual tier allocation decisions, which is available at the following link:
This provides further information and context beyond the headline metrics as to why areas are in particular tiers currently. We have also published supporting documents, to accompany the most recent regulations laid before Parliament. These are available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the modelling his Department holds on the effect of the relaxation of covid-19 restrictions over Christmas on covid-19 transmission rates in each of the three local restriction tiers.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Government is committed to publishing data that has informed its decision making, including the tier allocations. The Department publishes a weekly watchlist giving epidemiological COVID-19 data for each lower tier local authority in England. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-cases-by-local-authority-epidemiological-data
Detailed data on hospital activity is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/
Our public dashboard on the progress of the virus across a range of metrics is updated every day at the following link:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
The Contain framework sets out how national and local partners work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks, this includes through allocation of areas to the appropriate tier which is available at the following link:
Epidemiological data and projection models on local restriction tiers, including commentary on individual tier allocation decisions, which is available at the following link:
This provides further information and context beyond the headline metrics as to why areas are in particular tiers currently. We have also published supporting documents, to accompany the most recent regulations laid before Parliament. These are available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Hemsworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the (a) advice and (b) guidance issued by (i) the Chief Medical Officer and (ii) Public Health England which informed the decision to reopen gyms, pools and leisure centres across all covid-19 tiered areas from 3 December 2020.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Government is committed to publishing data that has informed its decision making, including the tier allocations. The Department publishes a weekly watchlist giving epidemiological COVID-19 data for each lower tier local authority in England. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-cases-by-local-authority-epidemiological-data
Detailed data on hospital activity is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/
Our public dashboard on the progress of the virus across a range of metrics is updated every day at the following link:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
The Contain framework sets out how national and local partners work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks, this includes through allocation of areas to the appropriate tier which is available at the following link:
Epidemiological data and projection models on local restriction tiers, including commentary on individual tier allocation decisions, which is available at the following link:
This provides further information and context beyond the headline metrics as to why areas are in particular tiers currently. We have also published supporting documents, to accompany the most recent regulations laid before Parliament. These are available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Hemsworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the (a) advice and (b) guidance issued by (i) the Chief Medical Officer and (ii) Public Health England which informed the decision to keep pubs and restaurants closed in those parts of the UK placed in tier 3 covid-19 restrictions from 3 December 2020.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Government is committed to publishing data that has informed its decision making, including the tier allocations. The Department publishes a weekly watchlist giving epidemiological COVID-19 data for each lower tier local authority in England. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-cases-by-local-authority-epidemiological-data
Detailed data on hospital activity is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/
Our public dashboard on the progress of the virus across a range of metrics is updated every day at the following link:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
The Contain framework sets out how national and local partners work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks, this includes through allocation of areas to the appropriate tier which is available at the following link:
Epidemiological data and projection models on local restriction tiers, including commentary on individual tier allocation decisions, which is available at the following link:
This provides further information and context beyond the headline metrics as to why areas are in particular tiers currently. We have also published supporting documents, to accompany the most recent regulations laid before Parliament. These are available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the rate of transmission is of covid-19 in hospitality settings.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Government is committed to publishing data that has informed its decision making, including the tier allocations. The Department publishes a weekly watchlist giving epidemiological COVID-19 data for each lower tier local authority in England. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-cases-by-local-authority-epidemiological-data
Detailed data on hospital activity is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/
Our public dashboard on the progress of the virus across a range of metrics is updated every day at the following link:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
The Contain framework sets out how national and local partners work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks, this includes through allocation of areas to the appropriate tier which is available at the following link:
Epidemiological data and projection models on local restriction tiers, including commentary on individual tier allocation decisions, which is available at the following link:
This provides further information and context beyond the headline metrics as to why areas are in particular tiers currently. We have also published supporting documents, to accompany the most recent regulations laid before Parliament. These are available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the scientific basis is for closing hospitality venues in areas with Tier 3 restrictions for covid-19.
Answered by Nadine Dorries
The Government is committed to publishing data that has informed its decision making, including the tier allocations. The Department publishes a weekly watchlist giving epidemiological COVID-19 data for each lower tier local authority in England. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-cases-by-local-authority-epidemiological-data
Detailed data on hospital activity is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-hospital-activity/
Our public dashboard on the progress of the virus across a range of metrics is updated every day at the following link:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
The Contain framework sets out how national and local partners work with the public at a local level to prevent, contain and manage outbreaks, this includes through allocation of areas to the appropriate tier which is available at the following link:
Epidemiological data and projection models on local restriction tiers, including commentary on individual tier allocation decisions, which is available at the following link:
This provides further information and context beyond the headline metrics as to why areas are in particular tiers currently. We have also published supporting documents, to accompany the most recent regulations laid before Parliament. These are available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374/contents/made
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason pubs cannot also be allowed to host rehearsals and streaming of events, with no audience, alongside theatres and arts venues whilst under covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The Health Protection Coronavirus Restrictions Regulations 2020, passed by Parliament on 1st December, allows theatres and concert halls to host rehearsals or performances without an audience for broadcast or recording purposes. This regulation does not extend to pubs or other hospitality settings.
Asked by: Lord Green of Deddington (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 17 November (HL9917), by what means they are able to introduce a limit on the number of skilled workers able to come to the UK; what is the nature of any parliamentary approval that would be required; and how long would be required for any such changes to take effect.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Points-Based Immigration System will allow the Government to take back full control of our borders. We will suspend the cap on the number of skilled workers able to come to the UK but other controls, such as salary thresholds and the Immigration Skills Charge, will ensure immigration is managed and considered alongside investment in and protection of the UK’s resident labour market.
We have considered carefully the possible impacts of the new immigration system, making best use of existing evidence and data. However, variables including Coronavirus are not the only uncertainty. We will need time to monitor the impacts on migration flows and the labour market, and whether this is in line with our detailed planning assumptions, before making any changes.
Any limit could be introduced through changes to the Immigration Rules, which are subject to negative resolution in both Houses. Changes are conventionally laid before Parliament 21 days before they take effect. The cap on skilled workers will be suspended when the new Rules come into force on1 December, but the Home Office processes required to enforce such a control will remain in place.
Asked by: Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the response to Question 2 in the Memorandum by the Department of Health submitted to the House of Lords Constitution Committee's inquiry Fast-track Legislation: Constitutional Implications and Safeguards in March 2009; and whether they are satisfied that there has been suitable evidence to fulfil the four criteria as set out under section 45G of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 for regulations introduced in response to COVID-19 under that Act.
Answered by Lord Bethell
Section 45R of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 enables Ministers to use the made affirmative procedure, by which an Instrument can be made before it is approved by Parliament. This is possible, provided the Minister makes a declaration that circumstances warrant this approach, in order to tackle a serious and imminent threat to public health. The inherent safeguard is that the Instrument will lapse within 28 days, unless approved by Parliament.
In the Department’s Memorandum of March 2009, which dealt with Regulations made under the 1984 Act, including the ones that form a key part of our response to COVID-19, we explained that even if Regulations had to be made in an emergency, taking effect before approval, a debate on an approval motion could take place before the Regulations lapsed. This has been achieved throughout the course of the outbreak. Furthermore, debates on approval motions, in both Houses, took place on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 the day after they were made, and before they came into force.
The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is such that the Government’s response has to be agile, in order to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving threats. The pandemic is therefore a serious and imminent threat to public health. In introducing necessary and proportionate measures to tackle its spread, delay can be harmful, and frustrate both the overall response and the specific objectives of particular Instruments. The powers in the 1984 Act are therefore expressly provided in order to support the approach that the Government has been taking.
The criteria referred to in section 2 of the Memorandum and section 45G of the 1984 Act are:
- the individual is or may be infected or contaminated,
- the infection or contamination is one which presents or could present significant harm to human health,
- there is a risk that the individual might infect or contaminate others, and
- it is necessary to make the order to remove or reduce that risk.
These relate to specific orders made by a magistrate and are not required to be considered for the making of Regulations. These underlying principles are certainly applicable to the national response; and the Government’s view is that the Regulations satisfy all of the criteria set out in the Act. In the course of making Regulations under the 1984 Act, Ministers do undertake assessments as to whether the proposed course of action is a necessary and proportionate response; and it is clear that COVID-19 does represent a significant threat.
Asked by: Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Memorandum by the Department of Health submitted to the House of Lords Constitution Committee's inquiry Fast-track Legislation: Constitutional Implications and Safeguards in March 2009 which states, in response to Question 3, “The Government believes that 28 days will allow enough time to arrange a debate in each House even when the requirement specified by emergency regulations is urgent, yet minor in scope and effect”; and whether this undertaking applies to regulations made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 in response to COVID-19.
Answered by Lord Bethell
Section 45R of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 enables Ministers to use the made affirmative procedure, by which an Instrument can be made before it is approved by Parliament. This is possible, provided the Minister makes a declaration that circumstances warrant this approach, in order to tackle a serious and imminent threat to public health. The inherent safeguard is that the Instrument will lapse within 28 days, unless approved by Parliament.
In the Department’s Memorandum of March 2009, which dealt with Regulations made under the 1984 Act, including the ones that form a key part of our response to COVID-19, we explained that even if Regulations had to be made in an emergency, taking effect before approval, a debate on an approval motion could take place before the Regulations lapsed. This has been achieved throughout the course of the outbreak. Furthermore, debates on approval motions, in both Houses, took place on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 the day after they were made, and before they came into force.
The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is such that the Government’s response has to be agile, in order to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving threats. The pandemic is therefore a serious and imminent threat to public health. In introducing necessary and proportionate measures to tackle its spread, delay can be harmful, and frustrate both the overall response and the specific objectives of particular Instruments. The powers in the 1984 Act are therefore expressly provided in order to support the approach that the Government has been taking.
The criteria referred to in section 2 of the Memorandum and section 45G of the 1984 Act are:
- the individual is or may be infected or contaminated,
- the infection or contamination is one which presents or could present significant harm to human health,
- there is a risk that the individual might infect or contaminate others, and
- it is necessary to make the order to remove or reduce that risk.
These relate to specific orders made by a magistrate and are not required to be considered for the making of Regulations. These underlying principles are certainly applicable to the national response; and the Government’s view is that the Regulations satisfy all of the criteria set out in the Act. In the course of making Regulations under the 1984 Act, Ministers do undertake assessments as to whether the proposed course of action is a necessary and proportionate response; and it is clear that COVID-19 does represent a significant threat.