Extract from Lords consideration of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and Events) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 - Jan 19

Baroness Fox of Buckley (Non-Afl):...Look at the way that employers such as Morrisons and IKEA are depriving unvaccinated staff of sick leave. They are taking a lead from a government policy that gives the vaccinated privileged access to jobs. I am referring to the Government’s continued retention of VCOD1 and VCOD2—the demand that care workers and NHS staff have to be vaccinated to keep their jobs. In the other place earlier today, MPs across parties noted that getting rid of plan B is incomplete, in spirit at least, when at least 70,000 NHS staff could be sacked from 1 April. As we speak, NHS trusts in England are preparing to send out dismissal letters from 3 February. I agree with Royal College of Nursing CEO, Patricia Marquis, and would like to know whether the Minister does, that the Government need to instigate a major rethink here:

“Mandation is not the answer and sacking valued nursing staff during a workforce crisis is reckless”—

“reckless” is a very strong word...

To read the whole debate, CLICK HERE