Local NHS Waiting Times
Mr Whittingdale been contacted by constituents over the past month about NHS waiting times and the disruption that Covid has had to treatment. To illustrate the disruption caused by Covid to local NHS services, the number of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for hospital treatment in the Mid and South Essex area was 324 in […]
A12 Consultation Opens
Highways England will begin a public consultation on the potential widening of the A12 from Chelmsford to A120 outside Colchester, which will improve journeys between Junction 19 (Boreham interchange) and Junction 25 (Marks Tey interchange). Whilst the A12 does not pass through the Maldon constituency, it is important route for many constituents, who use the road to […]
Protesting Rights
The measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, that pertain to protesting powers, in no way undermine the public’s right to carry out protests. The Government knows that protesting is a cornerstone of our democracy. These measures merely seek to protect people from highly-disruptive protests that seek to cause havoc in the daily […]
National Lottery Licence: Procurement
Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab) What progress he has made on the procurement process for the fourth national lottery licence. (902123) The Minister for Media and Data (Mr John Whittingdale) The Gambling Commission is running the competition for the next national lottery licence, which will come into force in August 2023. The Gambling Commission has undertaken […]
Paralympic Games
Dr Lisa Cameron (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) (SNP) What plans his Department has to (a) promote and (b) encourage people to watch the Paralympic Games in summer 2021. The Minister for Media and Data (Mr John Whittingdale) The Paralympic games are one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. In recognition of their special […]
Channel 4
Anum Qaisar-Javed (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) What recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the future of Channel 4. Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab) What plans the Government have to privatise Channel 4. (902114) Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab) What plans the Government have to privatise Channel 4. (902117) The Minister for Media and […]
June Update
I understand the reasons why the Prime Minister made the difficult decision on 14 June to extend the period of current Covid restrictions until 19 July. Whilst I appreciate that there will be some disappointment that Stage 4 will come a little later than had hoped, we cannot risk the virus – especially its more transmissible […]
NHS Pay
I believe that the passion, commitment, and specialist knowledge of our NHS staff is part of what makes our NHS so special. In particular, I recognise the sacrifice, commitment and dedication of our NHS workers over the past year. I believe it is important to honour this, but I know that pandemic has had real consequences […]
Mandatory Vaccines for Careworkers
I know that the Government is encouraging frontline workers in health and social care to be vaccinated because they are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19. They are also often working with the most vulnerable to this devastating disease. NHS England figures for the number of vaccinations up to 8th July show that 90 […]
Safety of Journalists
The Minister for Media and Data (Mr John Whittingdale) I very much welcome this opportunity to debate what is, as you have rightly said, Mr Deputy Speaker, an extremely important subject. It is the second such debate we have had in the space of two weeks, as we recently debated World Press Freedom Day. I […]