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Select Committee · Petitions Committee

The Government's response to Coronavirus

Status: Closed Opened: 13 Mar 2020 Closed: 31 Dec 2020 26 recommendations 4 conclusions 2 reports

As a result of the large numbers of petitions people have started on this issue, the Petitions Committee is questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus to answer petitioner’s most common questions and concerns.

Clear

Reports

2 reports
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The impact of Covid-19 on university studen… HC 527 13 Jul 2020 8 Responded
First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and paren… HC 526 6 Jul 2020 22 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
5 Recommendation First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on… Accepted

For those new parents on maternity leave for whom furlough was already possible, the Government...

For those new parents on maternity leave for whom furlough was already possible, the Government failed to make it clear either to them or their employers that it was an option. The Government should publish clear new guidance for employees 58 The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave …

Government response. The government agrees with the need for clear information, but states that GOV.UK already contains a wealth of rigorously user-tested guidance, including specific pages on maternity leave and the CJRS, and ruled out a single 'one-stop shop'.
11 Recommendation First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on… Accepted

While baby classes may not be directly vital to baby development, they provide important support...

While baby classes may not be directly vital to baby development, they provide important support to new parents, which will benefit the care they can provide. From our discussions with the sector and with the Minister, there has not been sufficient engagement with these groups or appropriate consideration of the …

Government response. The government acknowledges the important role of parent and baby groups and commits to hosting a meeting with the sector to better understand how they can be supported.
14 Recommendation First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on… Accepted

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of the whole nation.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of the whole nation. New and expectant parents have especially been put under tremendous strain during what is already an incredibly challenging time in their lives. It is extremely likely that there will be a significant increase in mental health …

Government response. The government acknowledges the issue and highlights existing guidance, open services, and ongoing commitments to expand perinatal mental health services by 2023/24, without committing to additional targeted support specifically for new parents affected by COVID-19.
2 Conclusion Second Report - The impact of Covid-19 … Accepted

We have heard evidence that universities, lecturers and support staff have made tremendous efforts to...

We have heard evidence that universities, lecturers and support staff have made tremendous efforts to continue to deliver university courses in uniquely challenging circumstances, and some students have continued to receive an excellent education. In at least some cases universities have been able to provide courses in a way that …

Government response. The government welcomes the Committee's finding that there should not be a universal refund of tuition fees and expresses gratitude for the efforts made by universities and staff to deliver higher education during the pandemic.

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
11 Jun 2020 Michelle Donelan MP · Department for Education, Paul Scully MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy View ↗
21 May 2020 Alain Gregoire · Maternal Mental Health Alliance, Bobby Norris, petition creator, Dr Trudi Seneviratne OBE · Royal College of Psychiatrists, Josie Anderson · Bliss, Neil Leitch · Early Years Alliance, Sue Armstrong Brown · Adoption UK View ↗
7 May 2020 Bethany Power, Petition signatory · Private citizen, Dr Cheryll Adams CBE FRSPH D(Nurs) MSc · Institute of Health Visiting, Dr Jo Grady · University and College Union, Emily Tredget · Happity, James Zammit-Garcia, Petition Creator, Jessie Zammit, Petition Creator, Professor Elizabeth Meins · University of York, Professor Julia Buckingham CBE · Universities UK, Sophie Quinn, Petition creator, Zamzam Ibrahim · National Union of Students View ↗

Correspondence

29 letters
DateDirectionTitle
29 Apr 2021 To cttee Letter from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families re…
29 Apr 2021 From cttee Letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families …
1 Apr 2021 From cttee Letter to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families …
13 Oct 2020 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers & Labour Markets respond…
24 Sep 2020 From cttee Letter to the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets regardi…
24 Sep 2020 From cttee Letter to the Prime Minister regarding the impact of Covid-19 on maternity and …
20 Aug 2020 From cttee Letter to the Secretary of State for Education regarding student grading
4 Aug 2020 From cttee Letter to Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets regarding m…
27 May 2020 From cttee Letter to Huw Merriman MP - Transport Committee - Aviation petition
18 May 2020 From cttee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
18 May 2020 To cttee Response from Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
24 Apr 2020 From cttee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
23 Apr 2020 From cttee Letter to Select Committee Chairs - scrutiny of the Government’s response to th…
15 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from Matt Hancock MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
14 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from Oliver Dowden MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
9 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from Grant Shapps MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
9 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from Rishi Sunak MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
9 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from Nick Gibb MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
9 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from George Eustice MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
9 Apr 2020 To cttee Response from Robert Jenrick MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus