chief t‘ul‘éf ”trult’flt government chief scientist been a member of the cobra meetings and can he update me on the question i wrote to him on thursday about when we can expect a bedside test to be deployed in this country and made available around the world 7 of course we are involved in the who missions and in some direct bilateral missions. i have repeatedly signed off support for more uk experts to go out around the world. the chief scientific adviser is of course at all of the cobra meeting is on this, whether chaired by me or the prime minister and his point on the bedside test is incredibly important. we are currently engaged with just over a dozen companies to try to come up with a bedside test, so instead of taking a swab from the back of the throat, and that have having to be

sent away and brought back, working with uk companies to get a bedside test where it can be done on the premises is an incredibly important pa rt premises is an incredibly important part of the diagnostic mission surrounding this disease. will staff and community settings be issued with protective hazmat suits and masks? we have extensive stockpiles of personal protection equipment. we are not distributing that at this moment because we have to distributed at the right time and at the moment each individual case can be dealt with because they are relatively few by those who are experts in the use of the kids. of course, the community staff as well as primary care staff and hospital staff will be involved in the distribution of that equipment when appropriate. last week there was a

confirmed coronavirus case in buxton, which led to the temporary closure of a medical centre and school. several national newspapers and accurately reported that buxton was a town on lockdown. several local hotels have now reported booking cancellations as a result. does the secretary of state agree with me that the situation calls for responsible journalism with calm reporting of the facts? will he join me in encouraging people to visit buxton, britain's best spa time. me in encouraging people to visit buxton, britain's best spa timelj love going to buxton and it is a great place to visit. the point and my honourable friend makes is a very serious one. as i sat in the statement, the scientific advice on moving to soon or on overreaction as they are in the same way that moving too slowly or not reacting strongly enough as there. we need to

absolutely take the measures necessary to protect the public. taking measures that will protect the public, in particular communicating about this for all those of us with the position of responsibility, whose communications are heard in a widespread way, whether members of the size of the media, have a duty of responsibility. the way this is communicated will have a direct impact on how well we as a country deal with this outbreak. hospital clea ners deal with this outbreak. hospital cleaners and porters keep us safe, so cleaners and porters keep us safe, so will the government increase s to full pay for all staff forced to self isolates? low—paid workers in oui’ self isolates? low—paid workers in our nhs should not be financially penalised for doing the right thing. in terms of the rules around ssp, we keep them under review. within the nhs, where we directly employ

people, that is something that i am having a conversation with the chief executive of the nhs about. the secretary of state will know there are two confirmed cases in gloucestershire. i want to put on record my thanks to the public health professionals who have dealt with those cases in a very professional, calm and considered manner. my specific question is about action that the department for work and pensions will be taking for those members of the public who, whether because of business downturn oi’ whether because of business downturn or because of self isolation, have to access the benefits system and whether front line dwp staff and systems will accommodate the fact that self isolation should be treated as an illness and no inappropriate sanctions are applied. we are absolutely clear that that is the rule. i am talking to the secretary of state for dwp

frequently on this matter. following the outbreak at willowbank infant school, will the secretary of state update the house on the work he is undertaking with the department for education and schools to help contain the outbreak? absolutely. the broader point on schools is that it is very important that schools don't lose if they are not advised to close. again, it is about following the medical advice. if there is no epidemiological reason to close the school, it should not close. ten schools are closed, i understand. seven of the ia schools reported yesterday as closed and open. this is a dynamic situation. the dfe have been doing a fantastic job andi the dfe have been doing a fantastic job and i pay tribute to the schools minister who has been working night and day to make sure that where children can be at school, they are

at school. he will recall a couple of weeks ago that i raise the issue of weeks ago that i raise the issue of motorway service stations. come andjoin of motorway service stations. come and join this week i still did not see any signage about the health precautions that can be taken. could iurge him precautions that can be taken. could i urge him to investigate whether he could buy up the advertising space on the lavatory areas to make sure that message is clear and people understand the hygiene activities they have to take? it is an important points. tomorrow we are launching an enhanced communications programme. i will check in with my tea m programme. i will check in with my team as to whether that includes adverts and motorway service stations. rural wales has a high percentage of self—employed people. what provisions have the four governments made to ensure

self—employed people that they will be compensated for lost income arising from the covid—i9 outbreak? iam arising from the covid—i9 outbreak? i am working with the welsh government, who have played their pa rt government, who have played their part with great care and responsibility in writing to this challenge. can i thank my right honourable friend for his statement and commend him in the way he's handling this outbreak. the public health advice has been cleared during the containment phase. we move into the delay and mitigate phase, particularly for vulnerable groups with regard to social distancing, could he be clear that the advice is as fast and have the same clarity? yes. tomorrow we are upgrading the communications activities, but should we move into the mitigate phase, then clearly the communications will need to be

different. we have known for years that people on outsourced contracts do not have access to sick pay, yet we heard the secretary of state for business talking about people going on to universal credits. i don't think the minister lives in the real world if he thinks that can happen in three days. can the secretary of state give very clear advice to those people who have to choose between work and eating in order to make sure that they don't go to work when they are ill? i have been absolutely clear about the legal position around this. we are keeping the area under review. as cases escalates, even a well—prepared nhs will become stretched with health professionals likely to be affected. seu professionals likely to be affected. self help will become important. we

are seeing a national shortage of hand sanitising gel. could he work with the manufacturers to ensure that those basic products, like paracetamol, abra proven, cough medicines will contain their availability widely on the high street? absolutely. he is completely right about this. our no—deal planning and stockpiles are playing an important part in making sure we are fully prepared and ready. on when to move to the delay phase, the secretary of state said that he was mindful of the scientific advice that reacting too early carries its own risk. could he set out for the house what those risks are? own risk. could he set out for the house what those risks are ?|j own risk. could he set out for the house what those risks are? i would highlight too. the first is that there is an economic and social impacts of disruption if an action has no medical benefit, then there is no need for that disruption. the

second is a medical risk, which is the behavioural science and experience from previous similar such outbreaks shows that if you ask people to early to do things that are disruptive to their normal lives, then they may try to return to normal earlier than they would. the number of cases is relatively small. if we go into the reasonable worst—case scenario small. if we go into the reasonable worst—case scenario it will rise sharply and be high for a number of weeks. we then need to keep people doing the right responsible thing over a period of weeks. if you ask them to move too soon, they may question whether that advice was correct. experience suggests that these outbreaks are about cool heads and timing. i would suggest that the minister and his chief medical officer and his public health minister have been exemplary and both of those things. would he agree that the media have a responsibility

here in presenting, you don't release everything in the locker at once. that is not about the government being slow to a desk, but about having a plan. the government has set out a clear, strategic and staged plan to do what is needed when it is needed in the national interest. i am grateful. we are trying to take exactly the approach he sets out. it builds on my answer earlier, getting the timing right as well as the decisions over the correct actions to take. both of these things you have to get right and we will be guided by the science in supporting the public through what will be a difficult time. the health secretary will know that many people are caring for elderly relatives, sometimes just popping people are caring for elderly relatives, sometimesjust popping in every day to make sure they are fed, to get them up in the morning. if

those people end up having to self—isolate or get ill, what support will there be both for them, where they may not be getting any sick pay, but also for the elderly relatives who depend on urgent support and may not have any other relatives nearby to provide that? we are very concerned about this issue. in the communications i communicated earlier that we will publish soon to social care providers, we will address precisely the issue that she raises. it is a very important and difficult situation. what you do in a reasonable... we are trying to avoid the reasonable worst—case scenario. one avoid the reasonable worst—case scenario. one area avoid the reasonable worst—case scenario. one area highlighted in public is, for instance, making it much easier to take on volunteers, but volunteers are not the only part of the answer to this problem. gamma health care are playing a vital role

in china as part of the bundled approach with infection control. adrian fallows, scientist with and says washing hands is vital. his concern is says washing hands is vital. his concern is every says washing hands is vital. his concern is every hand watch is being promoted as an effective intervention, even those cosmetic based. will my right honourable friend ensure that government advice on hand washing is thorough so that people don't run that risk?|j on hand washing is thorough so that people don't run that risk? i will look into the guidance on the nature of hand sanitiser is and make sure it takes into account the best scientific advice. there is a broader point, that whilst sanitising hands with hand sanitiser is good, it is not nearly as good as washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and preferably in hot

water. that is the best thing to do with a virus. i want to say thank you to the chief medical officer for bringing me when we had earlier on in the month in the city. it was very helpful advice. the advice he has just given is that we need to wash your hands. will the government make moves to ensure that when you enter every single building in this country there is a place to wash your hands? can we introduce guidelines, health and safety guidelines, health and safety guidelines to every single employer, every single restaurant? we need to up every single restaurant? we need to up our every single restaurant? we need to up our game. every single restaurant? we need to up our game. will the government commit to that now? i will look into whether that can be done. many public buildings do have sinks available. the core of our response is getting the communications right so we can use existing sinks and

soap that is there in order to be able to do what i know he wishes. soap that is there in order to be able to do what i know he wisheslj would like to thank the secretary of state and his team for keeping me informed on the two cases yesterday. a number of schools closed their doors as a precaution. what message does he have to do schools about what they can do to this issue? the message to schools is very clear. if you do not have both a positive case and the advice from public health england to close you should not close. it is a message that the schools minister reiterates. we have a hotline that schools can call to get that advice from public health england and those schools that close without the advice from public health england are contacted by the regional schools commissioner to explain to them the position. there

are now four confirmed cases covid-i9 of in are now four confirmed cases covid—i9 of in hertfordshire, yet they have a £2.8 million shortfall in their budget next year for nurses and health care visitors. i am told that there are up to 30 directors of public health across this country who are poised to have to cancel contracts who are poised to have to cancel co ntra cts a who are poised to have to cancel contracts a mixed school nurses and health workers redundant if this money is not confirmed. with less than a month to go until the next financial year, can the government confirmed today or within the next 24 confirmed today or within the next 2a hours that the money for this will be made available? we have increased the public health grant and increased local authority spending power by li.1i% in real terms next year, which comes in at the start of april. my constituency

includes semi rural and isolated communities where information on as local ad basis as possible be very important. can i get the contact details to get this information in real time? i would details to get this information in realtime? i would be very happy details to get this information in real time? i would be very happy to do that. can he confirm that claimants will not face benefit sanctions if they miss appointments because they are choosing to self—isolate? because they are choosing to self-isolate? that is absolutely our intention, yes. will my right honourable friends thanked the prince alexander hospital in harlow for dealing with the case? in connection with workers, many people work in services that are often on lower pay, especially if restaurants

cut on the number of staff for a reason or another if there is a serious outbreak. with the government consider setting up an insurance scheme if things get much worse to ensure that individuals like the ones i have mentioned don't lose out on their incomes? as i have said several times, we are keeping this area under review. we are also looking into what we can do is to support successful businesses who might have short—term negative impacts from some of the disruptions that have come with and could come further with coronavirus. sick pay and statutory sick pay can be complex, but there is one simple truth that the poorer you are the poorer your protections are. those worst offered work are looking at us and wanton clarity that doing the right thing and following the guidance will not put them at a detriment. nothing in the public conversation gives me confidence to say that to people in my community.

will the secretary of state take this opportunity to say not one single person in this country following his advice will suffer a detriment to their terms and conditions? i have made clear that we have a robust statutory sick pay system in this country and self isolation counts for illness within that system and we are keeping the system under review. people will have confidence that if they are asked to self—isolate that is exactly what they should do. sadly, it is health care professionals who are likely to be most exposed to this virus. what steps are taken to make sure we have significant numbers of health care professionals that work to deal with this crisis? it is an incredibly important issue. we have a broad programme led by the nhs to make sure that we both

protect our health care workers, both clinicians and the non—clinicians as the honourable member opposite mansion, and to ensure that we have as much support in the nhs as possible, including from recently retired people and from recently retired people and from volunteers as we have discussed earlier. if this virus becomes widespread it will be all hands to the pump in the nhs, as with social ca re the pump in the nhs, as with social care and we have extensive planning underwear under way. i have been contacted underwear under way. i have been co nta cted by underwear under way. i have been contacted by a consultant in emergency medicine. he has expressed concern about the use of nebulisers for the delivery of medicines for respiratory illnesses as there is evidence this might enhance displayed within a confined space of an airborne virus. i have been in touch with public health england about this there has been some debate about whether they agree with

my constituents or not. he has provided evidence that suggests one of these fears might be upheld. it isa of these fears might be upheld. it is a technical point, but could he look into it and get his officials to check it out? of course. i wouldn't dare to pronounce on the science and medicine behind that, but i can ensure that the experts will be able to respond. but i can ensure that the experts will be able to respondlj but i can ensure that the experts will be able to respond. i commend the health secretary for the constructive way he has worked with the other health ministers and the devolved administrations to get this plan ready. can i remind him of the importance of continuing this approach as the situation unfolds in the weeks ahead to ensure there is a genuine joint the weeks ahead to ensure there is a genuinejoint up uk the weeks ahead to ensure there is a genuine joint up uk wide strategy to combat coronavirus? yes, i would say this is devolved government and uk government working well together. the best example of this is that

each devolved nation has its own cmo and the forum of the four of them provides an extremely useful place to debate and then to agree so we can have a uk wide answer, even though some of the areas, like the delivery of the nhs, are devolved. in times of crisis, fear can foster discrimination. there is serious concern about reports of racism being linked to the coronavirus outbreak with people being abused simply because of east asian appearance and some children being bullied. does the health secretary agreed that inaccurate terms like the wuhan coronavirus should be avoided? will he take steps to ensure that government communications old boys g is medically accurate terms under the cabinet works to ensure that everything possible is done to stop the denigration and planning of

people in relation to this outbreak? yes, i agree with all of those. cani yes, i agree with all of those. can i thank him for following yes, i agree with all of those. can i thank him forfollowing on from working with the devolved administrations. when where the delivery is devolved, this is going to bea delivery is devolved, this is going to be a hold uk plan. this is a uk wide plan and that the information being published today is the same for every pa rt being published today is the same for every part of the uk? that is rights. the document is badged with the badges of the four nations. there are elements it of course there are technically different in terms of delivery, but they are set out in the plan. if i may, the deputy chief medical officer has got mea deputy chief medical officer has got me a note to answer the previous question, which is that the expert committee has looked at nebulisers and do not consider this an

infection prone procedure. the one—on—one services not available in the majority of wheels and most people in wales will be far better advised to write 08451i61i7, the nhs wales direct telephone my bigger anxiety is that so far the minister has still not been able, despite all the good things he has been able to do, he has not been at able to a nswer do, he has not been at able to answer the question about people on zero—hour contracts. many constituents of mine will want to do the right thing, but they would be financially out of pocket because there is no means of them getting recompense. we need to put this right or there will be a hole in the plan. we have a robust sse system. on the point about 111 we have changed the system so if you do

doubt that from wales it automatically redirects you to the nhs direct number in wales. automatically redirects you to the nhs direct number in waleslj welcome his clarification that school should not close unless they absolutely have to. parents are going to be looking after their children there could be less nurses or doctors to get to hospitals. he knows that the average age of volu nteers knows that the average age of volunteers at hospitals, including my fellow workers at the gloucestershire royal hospital, is ofan age gloucestershire royal hospital, is of an age where they could be at risk to this virus and they are often the receptionists. can he consider the nhs giving guidance to hospitals on whether having them as the front line for people who still come to hospitals thinking that is the best thing to do to be checked? in the first instance, the best thing to do if you think you have coronavirus is not to go to a hospital or gp surgery but ring 111. the other point that he makes is quite right. i'm strongly in favour

of getting people to wash their hands. could i ask specifically around the advice to dwp decision—makers, what advice specifically has been circulated within the department, and could we get a copy of that so we can find out if that advice has not been followed through. i will take that up followed through. i will take that up with the dwp secretary of state. we will come away from that question and answer session in the commons for now. the statement from matt hancock and, many many questions from mps this lunchtime, so many raising concerns about to what extent raising concerns about to what exte nt ca n raising concerns about to what extent can the nhs cope if there is going to be this bike that is anticipated in coronavirus in the uk. matt hancock at the start of his statement telling mps that the number of confirmed cases in the uk

now stands at 51. much more coverage of this throughout the afternoon. ben brown will be with you from two o'clock with full analysis of all of that. i will leave you now with a look at the weather prospects. the weather from wednesday into thursday are still subject to change, but things are more straightforward through the rest of the day. it will be a day of sunshine and showers. the main zone of showers, some of them happy, stretches across western parts of scotland, across the north west of england into the midlands. that was a little earlier on. that zone of showers will continue to push its way eastward into eastern england, allowing more western areas to enjoy allowing more western areas to enjoy a bit more sunshine. temperatures will be between eight and 10 degrees. some showers around this evening, but those will fade away quickly. for most cases it will be dry and clear overnight. we have rain arriving in the south—west later, so not as cold here stop at

first is more likely tonight. given the earlier showers, there could be icy patches. many places it will be a bright and sunny start from wednesday. this change is coming in from the south—west, cloud and rain pushing toward south—east england, the midlands, even northern ireland with snow on the high ground in wales. sunshine in scotland, showers and the far north—west. showers in wales and south—west england as it brightens up later on. this rain is a little bit further north now on the weather front and it could be wed overnight across northern england. that should tend to peter out on thursday morning. another area of low pressure complicating things, likely to bring some into the english channel. an improving story across northern england and many parts of the country will brighten up with some sunshine to come. showers mainly across scotland and northern ireland. those temperatures would really change on friday. we lose one area of low

pressure but another weather front is coming in from the atlantic. this one looks very weak. it will bring a narrow band of rent and be quite patchy. peter wright as it moves eastwards. more showers coming in behind that for the western side of the uk. those could be wintry over the uk. those could be wintry over the higher ground. 7—9d, that sort of water. over the weekend we are looking at stronger winds. that will bring windier weather, wetter weather, some rain on saturday followed by showers on sunday.

hello, you're watching afternoon live. i'm ben brown. today add to... the prime minister unveiled the government's battle plans against coronavirus in the uk. up to one fifth of the workforce could be off sick at the peak of the virus. keeping the country safe as the government's overriding priority. our plan means you're committed to doing everything possible based on the advice of our world leading experts to provide a volley prepare for all eventualities. in the last hour, the health secretary has confirmed a number of cases of coronavirus in the uk has risen again. it now stands at 51. this is again. it now stands at 51. this is a national effort. we need everyone to listen to and act on