Jonathan Ashworth responds to the Health Secretary's statement on Coronavirus

"We face some uncertainty. But we do know that the delta variant is the dominant variant in the UK. 73 per cent of Delta cases are in unvaccinated people

and we know one dose offers less protection against this variant.

"And although hospitalisations remain low, NHS Providers have warned any increase in hospitalisations form the virus will lead to significant pressures

and on an exhausted frontline who are trying to respond to the backlog in care.

"And we also know that long covid is significant and debilitating for many people. Mr Speaker I am an optimist and I believe that vaccination, ultimately, is our way through this. So can I ask him whether is able to go further on vaccination?

"Is he able to do more to drive up vaccination rates in those areas that have seen the delta variant take off, and where uptake remains low – such as Blackburn or Leicester?

"Is he able to narrow the timeframe between doses, given that we know that one dose is not enough protection?

"As Wales are now vaccinating everyone over 18 from next week, when will England follow?

"We have seen significant outbreaks in schools pre-half term. We know children can transmit the virus and are at risk of long covid. So again can I ask why mask wearing is no longer mandatory in secondary schools? And secondly given the regulator has approved vaccination for those from 12 upwards, when will the Joint Committee decide on whether to follow countries like the US and Israel to vaccinate children?

"He talks about the G7. This pandemic shows that, in an interconnected world, where climate change and biodiversity loss drives zoonotic spill overs, working internationally to prevent future outbreaks is in our interests. None of us are safe until all are safe. That means not cutting international aid. But also mean supporting global vaccination efforts.

"Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have put forward a G7 burden sharing plan that would vaccinate the world. Will this government support it?

"Finally, we are still in a pandemic. GPs are stretched, many frontline staff and patients are unaware that GP held patient data is about to be transferred to NHS digital. I am not opposed to NHS data being used for ‘public good’ research.

"But some of the most sensitive personal data - shared with GPs by patients in confidence several years ago and potentially when in a state of vulnerability such as a termination of pregnancy, matters of domestic or sexual abuse, issues of substance misuse or alcohol abuse, is set to be shared with NHS digital and potentially used by commercial interests, and yet hardly anyone knows about it.

"Those who are worried about safeguards and patient confidentiality include the Royal College of GPs and the BMA. Given the secrecy, the haste and the difficulties in opting out, why not abandon this data transfer and launch a transparent consultation process with patients and clinicians on how best confidential data can be shared for research purposes?"