UK COVID-19 Inquiry. Read indexed debates, questions, statements and early day motions, with links to the original parliamentary records.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the projected cost to the public purse of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
The Inquiry’s timescales, process and procedure are all matters for its independent Chair, who is under a statutory duty to avoid unnecessary cost in the conduct of the Inquiry. The Inquiry will publish details of its expenditure on its website in due course.
That this House congratulates family business, Sylvia’s Soapy Suds in Ardrossan, on winning the prestigious accolade of Best Laundry Business at the grand finale of Scotland’s Business Awards 2022; appreciates that this business, which was established almost 11 years ago, is now a cherished feature of the Ardrossan community; recognises that this award comes after a challenging period for businesses which struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic; applauds the delivery service provided by the bu...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many employees in his Department work on matters related to covid-19.
There are 27 full time employees in one business unit currently working on the Government’s response to the Covid-19 Inquiry. There are no other business units in the Cabinet Office that are dedicated to COVID-19. Roles are not recorded at an individual level.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many employees in his Department work on matters related to covid-19.
As of the 15th November 2022 there are 19 members of staff undertaking work on matters directly relating to Covid-19 where this work constitutes the majority of their working time. These staff members are primarily in DfT’s Covid-19 Inquiry Response Division. Their work will include input and support from relevant functions and modal teams as necessary.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many employees in his Department work on matters related to covid-19.
The Ministry of Justice does not hold centrally a figure for how many employees in the department work on matters related to COVID-19. However, I can confirm that there are currently 12.7 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees working on the department’s response to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.
There is also a network of Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across the department. They assist with the preparation for the response to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry alongside other roles and responsibilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employees in her Department work on matters related to covid-19.
The Home Office no longer actively monitor staff deployment for Covid-19, the number of staff members where their role is wholly or in part related to Covid-19 can only be retrieved by disproportionate effort.
However, the Department’s response to the Covid-19 Inquiry has a total of 7 (6.6FTE) employees.
That this House condemns the proposed cuts to BBC local radio programming which will see programming shared between regions after 2pm and on weekends; applauds the role of BBC local radio stations in democratic accountability, combating isolation and responding to crises such as covid-19 and local emergencies; questions for what reason the BBC’s digital first strategy is at the expense of a vital part of local media infrastructure; notes with concern that staff whose jobs are at risk found ou...
That this House congratulates the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel on their recent Big Disability Survey, the largest survey of disabled people in the UK, and the report highlighting the barriers disabled people face; notes its key findings, that disabled people in Greater Manchester are living under a threefold assault on their rights and quality of life: firstly, through austerity, then covid-19 and now as a result of the cost- of- living crisis; further notes its finding that dis...
That this House celebrates the 7th Annual Ayurveda Day and acknowledges that the covid-19 pandemic underlined the urgent need for cost-effective measures to improve health; notes that only a comprehensive prevention-oriented approach can meet this challenge; further notes that Ayurveda, the ancient and complete system of natural healthcare, offers a timeless tradition of holistic and multi-dimensional approaches to health and well-being; recognises the importance of research on Ayurveda is no...
That this House recognises the contribution of the Derry Halloween Festival to the life and economy of Derry City; notes the globally renowned annual celebrations across the city have grown from strength to strength, with the original festival beginning over 35 years ago drawing on Derry’s rich mythical, creative, and cultural history; further recognises the festival is Europe’s biggest Halloween festival and that in 2019 it attracted 140,000 visitors; further notes that the covid-19 pandemic...
That this House believes the lack of attention paid to global hunger has exacerbated this long-term and widespread issue; is concerned by warnings from the World Food Programme (WFP) of another year of record hunger; notes the number of hungry people globally increased from 282 million to 345 million during 2022; highlights that a fifth of the total population of Africa went hungry in 2021; further highlights that the WFP is currently holding back famine in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sou...
That this House is alarmed at the expansion of county lines networks, recently exacerbated by covid-19; calls for clarification of laws to ensure that all young people who are groomed, coerced and controlled into committing crime are recognised as victims of trafficking and exploitation; advocates the adoption of a new public health approach to drug prevention that works with schools, pupil referral units and providers for those outside of mainstream education; notes the need for new local sa...
That this House recognises the career of Stewart Gorman, who has retired from the Royal Mail after 47 years of tireless service; notes that Stewart was the last remaining postman in Ayrshire who worked under the state-operated General Post Office; expresses its gratitude for the tremendous work undertaken by Stewart over several decades ensuring people, communities and businesses were connected, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic; is aware that Stewart is a well known face across the G...
That this House congratulates Aroma Coffee and Kitchen in Larkhall on their nomination in The Food Awards Scotland 2022; recognises the hard work of the excellent team of staff in developing a successful business; celebrates Aroma's offering of artisanal delicacies in the town of Larkhall as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the café; understands the challenges faced by the hospitality industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and further congratulates Aroma for overcoming the...
That this House warmly congratulates both Dolffanog Fawr Guest House, Tywyn and Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi for their success in the Good Hotel Guide 2022; notes that Dolffanog Fawr is an 18th Century farmhouse, recently converted into one of the finest small luxury guest houses in Snowdonia and came top in the fishing category; further notes that the Trefeddian Hotel, situated just outside Aberdyfi has been in the Cave-Browne-Cave family for over 100 years and was awarded the Editor's Choice ...
That this House congratulates FLEXcon Europe on their 25th year of business at their manufacturing site in Glenrothes; highlights that FLEXcon are the leading global manufacturer of coated and laminate films and adhesives which can be found in a huge range of products used globally; recognizes FLEXcon’s work to safeguard their workforce and ensure consumer continuity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and thanks all the staff at FLEXcon for their continued hard work and wishes them all the bes...
That this House congratulates Lee-Ann's Café in Larkhall on their success in The Food Awards Scotland 2022; recognises the hard work of owner Lee-Ann Shakir, as well as her excellent team of staff, in developing a successful business; celebrates Lee-Ann's offering of traditional delicacies in the heart of Larkhall as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the café; understands the challenges faced by the hospitality industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; further congratulates Le...
That this House supports the Public and Commercial Services union’s demand for a fair pay rise for civil servants; expresses concern that, with general inflation at a 40-year high of around ten per cent, the Government’s proposal to give its workers just a two per cent increase is nowhere enough, especially as it comes after over a decade of pay restraint; is alarmed that, according to a recent Public and Commercial Services union survey, 85 per cent of members say the cost-of-living crisis h...
That this House recognises the impending cost of the energy crisis facing small businesses, public sector organisations and charities; is dismayed at the delays in offering support and the lack of planning to mitigate against this foreseeable crisis for these sectors; considers the lasting impact of covid-19 and soaring inflation on businesses, public sector organisations and charities to be significant; welcomes moves towards an energy price cap for business, public sector organisations and ...
That this House congratulates the 1st Troon Boys Brigade Pipe Band on winning first place and becoming Champions in the Grade 4B class at the 2022 World Pipe Band Championships, held at Glasgow Green on 12-13 August 2022 in front of 40,000 spectators; commends the musicians, their families and the band leaders for their commitment and effort in maintaining bagpipe teaching and band practice despite the challenges of the ccovid-19 pandemic; and wishes the band ongoing success in future competi...
That this House notes with concern the impact of Brexit on inflation; notes research by the UK in a Changing Europe think tank revealed that Brexit has increased food prices by 6 per cent; acknowledges that sterling has lost 10 per cent of its value, leaving households poor by increasing import costs and inflation while lowering wage growth; is aware of research published by the London School of Economics and Resolution Foundation that Brexit has reduced how open and competitive Britain is, l...
That this House congratulates Bearsden patisserie, Helmi’s, on winning the best hospitality business in the East Dunbartonshire hospitality awards; notes the popular patisserie opened in 2020; further notes the business is owned by the Helmi family who fled the war in Syria and expanded into East Dunbartonshire after enjoying success on the Isle of Bute; understands Helmi’s came top of a final shortlist of five businesses with nearly 1,500 members of the public voting in the final round; reco...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing bereavement support for the families of people who died from covid-19.
Since March 2020, the Government has allocated more than £10.2 million to mental health charities, including bereavement support charities, to support adults and children experiencing poor mental health due to the impact of COVID-19. The Government continues to assess the provision of services to support bereaved families, friends and loved ones.
The impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the bereaved, including post-bereavement support will be assessed during the United Kingdom’s COVID-19 Inquiry.
Through the Health and Care Act 2022, NHS England have developed guidance to support integrated care boards with the duty to commission palliative care services within integrated care systems. This guidance states commissioners should ensure there is sufficient access to bereavement services.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has sought external legal advice on disclosures to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
The Covid-19 Inquiry will play a key role in learning lessons from the pandemic. The final Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were published in June. The Prime Minister accepted all of Baroness Hallett’s recommendations.
The Government does not comment on legal advice it may have received. We will meet our obligations to the Inquiry in full.
The Government is committed to working with the Inquiry to ensure that Baroness Hallett is able to conduct a thorough investigation into the preparations for and the response to the pandemic.
To ask the Attorney General, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the likelihood of the Government being subject to claims for damages from bereaved families during or after the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
By convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.
This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.