Summary

  • MPs take part in first virtual PMQs

  • First PMQs for Keir Starmer as Labour leader

  • Questions on testing, PPE and deaths of key workers

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells MPs government working to improve supply of PPE

  • Also tells MPs NHS has not been overwhelmed by outbreak

  • Ministers face questions over EU equipment scheme

  • RAF plane returns with PPE supplies from Turkey

  1. And we'll take a break too...published at 13:53 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    BBC Parliament
    Freeview channel 232

    We are taking a break from the live updates for now, but you can watch the live streams for the Commons and the Lords above.

    Thanks for joining us!

  2. Commons Speaker: Almost everything has gone smoothlypublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Lindsay HoyleImage source, HoC

    And that concludes the health secretary's statement.

    Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle thanks those who have helped make today's virtual House of Commons work.

    "Almost everything has gone smoothly," he says but adds "we will learn lessons."

    The House of Commons is now suspended for 15 minutes to allow the parliamentary broadcasting staff to make some technical changes.

    When the MPs come back from the break, there will be no further contributions made today by video link.

  3. MP urges Hancock to look at 'immediate quarantining'published at 13:45 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake asks whether the UK should follow China's lead and "immediately quarantine" anyone who tests positive to help prevent a "second wave" of infections and "mitigate" the damage to the economy from a prolonged lockdown.

    Mr Hancock says he is looking at a number of options and says self-isolation is a vital part of the contact, track and trace strategy.

  4. Labour MP attacks 'shambolic' virus responsepublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Veteran Labour MP Barry Sheerman launches a fierce attack on the government's handling of the crisis, saying it has been "shambolic".

    He says NHS staff have been "let down" and suggests that "whistleblowers" who tried to raise concerns about shortages of personal protective equipment and other issues in the press have been discouraged.

    In response, Mr Hancock says the MP has "missed the point in what we are trying to do to pull together as a nation".

    He suggests the tone of the question was wrong and it "saddens" him, adding that staff with concerns have been encouraged to speak out.

  5. Hancock: I can't guarantee all cancer treatment will go aheadpublished at 13:42 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Labour's Rosie Cooper raises concerns about people whose cancer treatment is being disrupted during the coronavirus outbreak.

    Matt Hancock replies that he can't give a guarantee that all cancer treatment will go ahead.

    He says there is enough capacity in the NHS but adds that while "the virus is still at large" there are some cancer treatment that it is "clinically inadvisable to undertake now".

    "Having said that, we do want people to come forward - we want as much cancer treatment going ahead as possible," he adds.

  6. Hancock: 15 social care workers have died from viruspublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Earlier at PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer asked Dominic Raab how many social care workers have died from the coronavirus.

    Mr Raab didn't have the figures, but Jonathan Ashworth put the same question to Matt Hancock who tells MPs that 15 social care workers have sadly died from the virus.

  7. How many tests are being carried out?published at 13:37 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    By Reality Check team

    Reality Check

    A soldier takes a swab for a Covid-19 testImage source, Reuters

    Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised the government over its testing strategy, saying it was “behind the curve.” He asked whether the target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April could be met.

    Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, standing in for the prime minister, said that at the moment “our capacity for tests is at 40,000 per day”.

    Regardless of capacity, the number of tests actually carried out yesterday was 18,206, according to the Department of Health.

    The closest the government has so far come to reaching its target is 21,300 recorded at the end of last week, but still almost 79,000 short of the target.

    Previously, the government aimed to reach 25,000 tests a day by the middle of April – a target that was missed - although officials say at that point, capacity was 30,000.

  8. Corbyn calls for rapid increase in testingpublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asks his first question on his return to the backbenches.

    After paying tribute to keyworkers "doing such an incredible job" and recognising an "amazing moment in this country's history" as a result, he references warnings from the World Health Organisation about the virus.

    He quotes the body's director general, who said the way to tackle coronavirus was to "test, test, test", Mr Corbyn adds: "We didn't do that."

    Mr Corbyn says the issue of testing had been raised in the Commons in January and February, and in a meeting he was included in last month, while still Labour leader.

    "We are still no way near the level necessary," he says. "Can he assure us there is going to be a really rapid increase in the level of testing and the availability of testing to get on top of this dreadful virus?"

    Matt Hancock dismisses the question, saying the development of testing "has been at pace throughout... contrary to the story told by the right honourable gentleman".

    He says the government has had its "foot on the gas all the way through because it is incredibly important".

  9. Benn: Will the public get face masks?published at 13:27 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Labour's Hilary Benn asks if it is the government's policy to provide masks to the public.

    "What is his plan to source them or will the public be expected to source their own," he asks.

    Matt Hancock replies: "We will follow the advice and then we will implement that.

    "I can't promise that we will give everybody free masks - that would be an extraordinary undertaking.

    "We need to make sure that we have supplies available especially for health and care staff."

  10. Will the UK reach 100,000 tests target asks SNP MPpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    SNP Health and social care spokesperson Philippa Whitford asks Matt Hancock if he will achieve his target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day by next week.

    "If not when," she asks adding "how accurate are the tests in light of reports of 25% false negative results."

    Also on testing, former Conservative Business Secretary Greg Clark asks how the 100,000 target was reached.

    Mr Hancock says "that is what we estimated was needed"

    "We are ahead of our trajectory on capacity - but we need to make sure demand increases - that means widening access.

    "These decisions are based on the science."

  11. Hunt: Will track and trace be ready in two weeks?published at 13:25 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Former Health Secretary - and chair of the health select committee - Jeremy Hunt highlights advice from the World Health Organisation that governments should be able to track and trace infections to fully fight the outbreak.

    He asks his successor whether measures to do that - such as the NHS app Matt Hancock has said is being trialled - will be ready in two weeks, when the government meets to decided whether to lift lockdown measures.

    Mr Hancock says the government is "ramping up our testing capacity and our capacity for contact tracing in a matter of weeks".

    But he says the ability to track and trace "isn't as tied to the specific decision" about loosening lockdown measures.

    "The effectiveness of test, track and trace to keep the rate down is determined by incidence in the community, and the goal is to test, track and trace everybody who needs it."

  12. Ashworth: Deliver tests to care workerspublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Jonathan Ashworth urges the government to ensures tests can be delivered to care workers rather than expecting them to drive "miles and miles" to centres.

    He also calls for the NHS personal protective equipment (PPE) supply to be expanded to support the social care system.

    In reply Matt Hancock says testing via mobile units and home tests are being rolled out to help care workers.

    He also says a new service will directly supply PPE to care homes.

  13. 'Why is UK death rate so poor," asks Jonathan Ashworthpublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth repeats Sir Keir Starmer's earlier questions by asking how many social care workers have died from the coronavirus.

    He also urges the government to offer an explanation about "why our death rate seems so poor" compared to the rest of Europe.

    The government has said it will hold an inquiry into why BAME people appear to have been more effected by the virus. Mr Ashworth asks when it will be published.

  14. Hancock: Everyone can play their partpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Matt HancockImage source, HoC

    On testing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the capacity is ahead of the government's plans to reach 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month.

    However, capacity for tests in the UK is currently at around 40,000 with just eight days to reach the target, and only 18,000 tests were carried out yesterday.

    But Mr Hancock stands by the goal, and says the government will be introducing contact testing "at a large scale" via a new NHS app, which will be coming soon and should "bring the number of new cases down.

    The health secretary also says the UK is "making the best possible use of science and research to pursue vaccines and treatment", and says the country is at the "forefront of the effort" - claiming the government has put in more money than any other country.

    But he says "everyone can play their part", thanking the public for their "steadfast commitment" to following the rules, adding: "It is making a difference".

    Mr Hancock concludes his opening statement saying: These are unprecedented times for us all and we have all seen the extraordinary impact of coronavirus.

    "Even though today we are physically separated, this House at its best when united in its purpose and resolve.

    "This may be akin to a war, but it is one where the whole of humanity is on the same side."

  15. Hancock: 'Full weight of government' behind PPEpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    When it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), Matt Hancock says the "full weight of the government" is behind getting it to workers who need it.

    He says that in normal times, the PPE supply chain serves 223 hospital trusts - but now they are supplying 58,000 different places.

    This means the government is "creating whole new logistics network from scratch".

    But he says they are working with the "best minds in the country".

    He repeats that the government has delivered over one billion items of PPE and is "constantly working to improve delivery".

    And he says they are looking at offers from within the UK who want to make PPE, but they will look at "the biggest, most credible offers first".

  16. Hancock: NHS has not been overwhelmedpublished at 13:03 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Mr Hancock says there are 3,000 spare critical beds in the NHS and a number of new hospitals have opened.

    "The NHS has not, an any point, been overwhelmed by coronavirus, and some said this would be impossible," he adds.

    But he says he wants to reinforce the message that non-Covid patients must know "the NHS is there for you".

    He says anyone who may be vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke, parents of young children, pregnant women or those worried about cancer "must still contact their GP" and go to hospital if they are told too.

    "The NHS is there for you and can provide the very best care if you need it," he adds.

  17. What makes up the one billion items of PPE?published at 12:55 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    By Reality Check team

    Reality Check

    Paramedic wearing PPEImage source, Getty Images

    As pressure continues on the government over supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (who stood in at PMQs for Boris Johnson) said that one billion items had been delivered.

    The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed the figure and breaks it down for NHS Trusts and social care systems in England - which have received around 875 million items (the remainder going to to other UK nations).

    This figure includes: 132 million masks, 145 million aprons, 1.2 million gowns and 470 million pairs of gloves.

    To put the figures in some kind of context, it’s estimated that NHS staff are using 150,000 gowns a day.

  18. Hancock: United to beat viruspublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
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    Health Secretary Matt Hancock begins his statement saying how pleased he is the Commons is back, saying it is "critical to have scrutiny and debate".

    The health secretary moves onto the outbreak, paying tribute to those who have died

    "Across the House we are united in determination to fight this outbreak", he adds.

  19. Coronavirus: Health secretary makes statementpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Prime Minister's Questions has come to a close, and now we move onto a statement on the coronavirus outbreak by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

    Matt HanockImage source, HoC
  20. Lib Dem acting leader calls for inquirypublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey pays tribute to Dr Anton Sebastianpilla - a constituent of his who has died from coronavirus.

    "He worked in our NHS for decades and was treating coronavirus patients," he says.

    "He was the best of us and on behalf of Anton and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice and so we learn lessons urgently will the government commit to an independent judge-led inquiry into how the crisis has been handled," he asks.

    "I won't take up his offer of committing to a public inquiry," replies Dominic Raab.

    He says there are lessons to be learnt but argues that "right now the public would expect our full focus to be making sure we save lives and protect the NHS".