Baroness Uddin on Full PHE Report in House of Lords

Baroness Uddin on Congregational Prayers 

and Full Version of PHE Report in the House of Lords

Dr. Mozammel Haque

On Monday, the 15^th of June, 2020, there was a debate on Health Protection (Coronavirus Restriction) in the House of Lords. Baroness Manzila Uddin (Non-Affl) participated in the virtual proceedings. Her contribution is the following.

Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl) [V]

Baroness Uddin said, “My Lords, the PM has announced that the five government tests have been met; hence we are easing lockdown without prior discussion in Parliament. Can the Minister say if these measures, announced on 13 May, were based on scientific advice or political judgment? How do the Government measure compliance in vulnerable people?”

On Congregational Prayers

On congregational Prayers, Baroness Uddin said, “We are a number of weeks past the concept of bubbles, and there are very important questions about access to places of worship, including mosques, gurdwaras and temples. He will be aware that many volunteer organisations have ensured during the emergency period that government messaging goes out to communities. They are asking for clarity. When will these instructions be made clear to them, to make sure that congregational prayers do not resume without adequate support?”

“These and subsequent measures have not referred adequately to the plight of those suffering from mental ill-health. Mental health has significantly deteriorated due to family income. What measures are the Government considering to address the plight of the more than 1 million people who have not been able to access government financial support? I agree wholeheartedly with the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, on the issues of mental health she has raised,” she mentioned.

PHE Full Report

On the full version of PHE report, Baroness Uddin said, “It would be remiss of me, even though these measures do not refer to this, not to mention the Government withholding the full version of the PHE report. Professor Fenton stated that there is strong evidence of racism, discrimination and structural inequalities contributing to the disproportionate impact on minority communities experiencing the Covid-19 disease—and we know that. When will the report, hitherto held in abeyance, be published? Will there be, or has there been, a comprehensive assessment to prevent further risks to minority communities—staff and patients alike?”

Lord Bethell [V]

Lord Bethell, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care, replied, “I am grateful to people of all faiths for the patience they have shown during the lockdown, and I am very pleased that we been able to reopen places of worship for individual prayer this week. In response to my noble friend Lady McIntosh, the virus is communicated by the infected person’s airborne droplets, so it is sensible that activities that generate substantial outward breathing, such as singing, should be restricted. However, I reassure my noble friend and the noble Baroness, Lady Uddin, that we hope to be able to reopen places of worship fully when this is supported by the science. I am grateful to the places of worship task force for its continued engagement.”