Government responds to the statistics published by the Data Analysis Bureau that 15 per cent of 12,407 care home workers from 650 care homes across England, Wales and Scotland have been tested for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and that 6 per cent of those tested were tested between 20 and 27 May; and a reply on the effects of Covid19 on people with disabilities following the report by Oxford University on “An Affront to Dignity, Inclusion and Equality”.
Lord Bethell, the Department of Health and Social Care, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL4898):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statistics published by the Data Analysis Bureau that 15 per cent of 12,407 care home workers from 650 care homes across England, Wales and Scotland have been tested for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and that 6 per cent of those tested were tested between 20 and 27 May. (HL4898)
Tabled on: 02 June 2020
Answer:
Lord Bethell:
Test kits have been offered to every care home for over-65s or those with dementia in England, reaching the testing target for 6 June. All remaining adult care homes are eligible to access testing through the whole care home portal. We have the capacity to send out over 50,000 test kits a day.
Date and time of answer: 20 Jul 2020 at 15:39.
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Baroness Stedman-Scott, the Department for Work and Pensions, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL6704):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Oxford University Disability Law and Policy Project and the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights An Affront to Dignity, Inclusion and Equality, published on 2 July, in particular its recommendations (1) that all legislation passed during the COVID-19 pandemic should be reviewed to ensure that the duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are met, and (2) that a COVID-19 disability inclusive response and recovery group should be established to ensure that disabled people are central in the decision making relating to economic and social recovery following the pandemic. (HL6704)
Tabled on: 10 July 2020
Answer:
Baroness Stedman-Scott:
The Government notes the recommendations in the report by Oxford University on “An Affront to Dignity, Inclusion and Equality”.
The Cabinet Office Disability Unit continues to work with disability stakeholders and across Government Departments to ensure that the needs of disabled people are considered in the UK Government’s response to COVID-19.
We are clear that consideration of equality impacts must be integral in all key policy decisions. All equality and discrimination laws and obligations continue to apply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government remains committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to the progressive realisation of the rights for disabled people that it sets out.
The National Strategy for Disabled People is a key manifesto commitment for this Government and its delivery remains important for ministers, including No. 10. Its significance is even greater, as we re-build the UK’s economy and society following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now focusing on meaningful engagement with stakeholders, strengthening our evidence base and keeping momentum to deliver the high ambition strategy that the Prime Minister has called for.
Date and time of answer: 20 Jul 2020 at 14:44.
