The Government's response to Coronavirus

Petitions Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Mar 2020 Closed: 31 Dec 2020 Parliament page
As a result of the large numbers of petitions people have started on this issue, the Petitions Committee is questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus to answer petitioner’s most common questions and concerns.
26 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
2 Reports
3 Oral sessions
29 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 40 events
29 Apr
2021
Correspondence
29 Apr
2021
Correspondence
1 Apr
2021
Correspondence
13 Oct
2020
Correspondence
24 Sep
2020
Correspondence
24 Sep
2020
Correspondence
16 Sep
2020
Report published
9 Sep
2020
Report published
20 Aug
2020
Correspondence
4 Aug
2020
Correspondence
29 Jul
2020
Report published
13 Jul
2020
Report published
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
11 Jun 2020
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Michelle Donelan MP · Department for Education Paul Scully MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
21 May 2020
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Alain Gregoire · Maternal Mental Health Alliance Bobby Norris, petition creator Dr Trudi Seneviratne OBE · Royal College of Psychiatrists Josie Anderson · Bliss Neil Leitch · Early Years Alliance Sue Armstrong Brown · Adoption UK
7 May 2020
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Bethany Power, Petition signatory · Private citizen Dr Cheryll Adams CBE FRSPH D(Nurs) MSc · Institute of Health Visiting Dr Jo Grady · University and College Union Emily Tredget · Happity James Zammit-Garcia, Petition Creator Jessie Zammit, Petition Creator Professor Elizabeth Meins · University of York Professor Julia Buckingham CBE · Universities UK Sophie Quinn, Petition creator Zamzam Ibrahim · National Union of Students
Recommendations & Conclusions
30 results
1 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The Government’s response has argued that the UK’s maternity leave offer is already amongst the...
The Government’s response has argued that the UK’s maternity leave offer is already amongst the most generous in the world. Although up to 52 weeks leave is generous compared to other countries, the amount of maternity pay is not the … Read more
Government Response
The government's response does not address the recommendation to capture data on the uptake of parental leave and pay, instead focusing on defending the generosity and flexibility of existing maternity leave arrangements and rejecting the idea of extending entitlements.
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2 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
As a matter of urgency the Government should consider whether Maternity Allowance should be considered...
As a matter of urgency the Government should consider whether Maternity Allowance should be considered as earnings in the same way as Statutory Maternity Pay and should not lead to deductions from Universal Credit.
Government Response
The government rejects changing the treatment of Maternity Allowance within Universal Credit, explaining it is considered unearned income and thus deducted pound-for-pound, unlike Statutory Maternity Pay which is treated as earnings.
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3 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
Parental leave and pay are not unique in having different provisions for employed and self-employed...
Parental leave and pay are not unique in having different provisions for employed and self-employed people, and this is just one area of a complex benefit system. It is however apparent that many of the inequalities are not a reflection … Read more
Government Response
The government implicitly rejects equalising benefits for self-employed adoptive parents, explaining existing different provisions and discretionary local authority payments. For special guardians, it defers action, stating it has consulted on parental leave reforms and will respond in due course.
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4 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The Government has suggested that women can be furloughed as a means of extending their...
The Government has suggested that women can be furloughed as a means of extending their maternity leave and delaying their return to work. However, access to the scheme is reliant on employers’ consent, rather than parents having a right to … Read more
Government Response
The government explained the purpose and temporary nature of the CJRS, confirming that employers are not obliged to use the scheme, and reiterated existing health and safety requirements for pregnant employees, without directly addressing the committee's concerns about fairness and realism for many new parents.
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5 Recommendation Accepted
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
For those new parents on maternity leave for whom furlough was already possible, the Government...
For those new parents on maternity leave for whom furlough was already possible, the Government failed to make it clear either to them or their employers that it was an option. The Government should publish clear new guidance for employees … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the need for clear information, but states that GOV.UK already contains a wealth of rigorously user-tested guidance, including specific pages on maternity leave and the CJRS, and ruled out a single 'one-stop shop'.
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6 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The Government’s work to ensure premises are safe for workers during the pandemic is welcome.
The Government’s work to ensure premises are safe for workers during the pandemic is welcome. As an at-risk group, there is more that can be done to ensure that employers are aware of their responsibilities for the safety of pregnant … Read more
Government Response
The government states that clear guidance for employers on their obligations to pregnant women, including the right to suspension on full pay if they cannot work safely, has been published by the HSE. However, it does not commit to extending the furlough scheme to all pregnant women, stating that current approaches are considered proportionate.
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7 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
In addition to the immediate financial consequences for pregnant women of being put on Statutory...
In addition to the immediate financial consequences for pregnant women of being put on Statutory Sick Pay or unpaid leave—often when they should have been suspended on full pay—in many cases the loss of income that results can also mean … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to amend Statutory Maternity Pay calculations to disregard lower income periods from Statutory Sick Pay or unpaid leave, stating that while adjustments were made for furlough, SSP is not a new situation and there are no plans to change its treatment in SMP calculations.
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8 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme uses three years of tax returns to assess the average...
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme uses three years of tax returns to assess the average income of claimants. Claimants who have undertaken periods of parental leave in these years, will not receive support at a level representative of their usual … Read more
Government Response
The government has amended the SEISS scheme to make previously ineligible self-employed parents, whose 2018/19 tax returns were affected by new childcare, eligible for the scheme. However, it clarifies that the grant calculation for those already eligible is unaffected.
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9 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The Government’s decision to reject the request to extend maternity leave has been hugely disappointing...
The Government’s decision to reject the request to extend maternity leave has been hugely disappointing to the hundreds of thousands of people who have signed this petition. In these extraordinary circumstances, where the Government has taken exceptional action to support … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to extend parental leave and pay, citing the significant cost to the Exchequer and the additional burden on businesses at a challenging time.
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10 Recommendation Deferred
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
It is difficult to see how health visitors will be able to ‘catch-up’ with their...
It is difficult to see how health visitors will be able to ‘catch-up’ with their important contact visits to provide the much-needed support for new parents and to help identify those who are vulnerable and most in need. This risks … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the allocation of health visitor resources is a matter for local authorities and has provided additional funding to local authorities to address Covid-19 pressures, but does not commit to a government review of provision or increased central funding for health visitors.
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11 Recommendation Accepted
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
While baby classes may not be directly vital to baby development, they provide important support...
While baby classes may not be directly vital to baby development, they provide important support to new parents, which will benefit the care they can provide. From our discussions with the sector and with the Minister, there has not been … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the important role of parent and baby groups and commits to hosting a meeting with the sector to better understand how they can be supported.
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12 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
New parents have missed out on vital support from professionals such as health visitors to...
New parents have missed out on vital support from professionals such as health visitors to baby classes and groups. We’ve heard how important this support is for parental mental health and for helping to lay the foundation for parenting, family … Read more
Government Response
The government states community health services continued support during the pandemic and that health visitor resources are a matter for local authorities. It mentions general funding for local authorities and charities but does not commit to additional catch-up support specifically targeted at new parents.
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13 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
Free dental care is an important benefit that most pregnant and new mothers have been...
Free dental care is an important benefit that most pregnant and new mothers have been unable to access as the result of the pandemic. The Government should extend maternity dentist provision for new and expectant mothers affected by the pandemic … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects extending free maternity dental provision for new and expectant mothers, stating it has no plans to extend existing charge exemptions at this time, while noting routine dentistry has restarted.
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14 Recommendation Accepted
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of the whole nation.
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of the whole nation. New and expectant parents have especially been put under tremendous strain during what is already an incredibly challenging time in their lives. It is extremely likely … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the issue and highlights existing guidance, open services, and ongoing commitments to expand perinatal mental health services by 2023/24, without committing to additional targeted support specifically for new parents affected by COVID-19.
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15 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
Adoptive parents and their children have faced uniquely challenging situations without the access to the...
Adoptive parents and their children have faced uniquely challenging situations without the access to the professional and informal support that they need. These children are among the most vulnerable in society. In the most serious situations, we’ve heard that the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to extend adoption leave and pay, stating that existing entitlements of 52 weeks leave and 39 weeks pay, along with other flexible working options, are already generous and sufficient for new parents.
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16 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The Government’s response to this inquiry so far has not addressed the immediate situation faced...
The Government’s response to this inquiry so far has not addressed the immediate situation faced by self-employed adoptive parents as a result of Covid-19. A future review, although welcome, may not come in time for this cohort of parents and … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to equalise benefits for self-employed adoptive parents, explaining that maternity entitlements have health and safety considerations for birth mothers that do not apply to adopters. It notes that local authorities can already consider discretionary, means-tested payments.
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17 Recommendation Deferred
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
Special guardians need time and support to help their often highly vulnerable children to settle...
Special guardians need time and support to help their often highly vulnerable children to settle into their new kinship families in the same way that adoptive and other parents do. They should not be treated any differently to any other … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has consulted on reforming the parental leave and pay system and will respond in due course, deferring a decision on extending entitlements to special guardians.
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18 Recommendation Rejected
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
We welcome the Government’s recognition that special neonatal leave and pay should be introduced for...
We welcome the Government’s recognition that special neonatal leave and pay should be introduced for all parents who find themselves in this situation. The Government plans to include provisions in its forthcoming Employment Bill to introduce this reform in 2023. … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects piloting neonatal leave and pay for those affected by Covid-19, explaining that such a pilot would still require complex legislation and IT systems and would not be delivered any sooner than the planned full entitlement in 2023.
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19 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
We welcome the Government’s introduction of testing for members of the public.
We welcome the Government’s introduction of testing for members of the public. However, priority testing should be made available for parents of babies in neonatal care. No parent should be separated unnecessarily from their newborn for any longer that they … Read more
Government Response
The government states that asymptomatic testing is conducted where clinically appropriate and that decisions on COVID-19 testing are made by individual NHS Trusts based on their own risk assessments, without committing to prioritising rapid testing for parents of babies in neonatal care.
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20 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
We have heard about systemic problems in the funding of childcare before the pandemic.
We have heard about systemic problems in the funding of childcare before the pandemic. Just before the outbreak, we debated a petition which expressed concerns about how many parents struggled to afford childcare. Covid-19 has put a huge strain on … Read more
Government Response
The government addresses the short-term funding aspect by highlighting ongoing work, existing support schemes (CJRS, SEISS), continued funding for free childcare hours, and a commitment to fund local authorities at pre-pandemic levels for the autumn term. However, the response does not address the recommendation for an independent long-term review of childcare provision.
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21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
The current crisis has put new parents, particularly mothers, at increased risk of redundancy and...
The current crisis has put new parents, particularly mothers, at increased risk of redundancy and hardship. New and expectant mothers are already a group who are vulnerable to discrimination, and the Government needs to ensure that the current crisis doesn’t … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to extending redundancy protections to women returning from maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, and from the point of informing an employer of pregnancy, but states this will be introduced through legislation 'as soon as parliamentary time allows' without providing a timetable.
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22 Recommendation Deferred
First Report: The impact of Covid-…
We recognise the concerns of Maternity Action that pregnant women and new mothers, who are...
We recognise the concerns of Maternity Action that pregnant women and new mothers, who are at significant risk of discrimination and dismissal, may struggle to prepare and submit legal challenges within the 3-month time limit, at what is already an … Read more
Government Response
The government has deferred action on extending the employment tribunal claim period for pregnant women and new parents, stating the issue is being considered by the Government Equalities Office following a consultation, and a response will be published in due course.
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1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
The Covid-19 outbreak has hugely disrupted the education of university students.
The Covid-19 outbreak has hugely disrupted the education of university students. A significant number of students have told us they are not receiving the standard of education that they had expected, feel they are entitled to, or which offers true … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the significant disruption and challenges faced by students, noting universities' adaptation to online teaching and the OfS's role in ensuring quality. It highlights that universities were enabled to increase hardship funds using existing funding to support disadvantaged students.
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2 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
We have heard evidence that universities, lecturers and support staff have made tremendous efforts to...
We have heard evidence that universities, lecturers and support staff have made tremendous efforts to continue to deliver university courses in uniquely challenging circumstances, and some students have continued to receive an excellent education. In at least some cases universities … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the Committee's finding that there should not be a universal refund of tuition fees and expresses gratitude for the efforts made by universities and staff to deliver higher education during the pandemic.
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3 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
Students have a right to seek a refund or to repeat part of their course...
Students have a right to seek a refund or to repeat part of their course if the service provided by their university is substandard, but the exact circumstances in which students should expect to receive a refund or be able … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that circumstances for student redress are unclear and states that guidance has recently been published to aid students and providers. However, it explicitly rejects establishing a new centralised system for tuition fee refunds, citing the individualised nature of student contracts and circumstances.
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4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
While it appears that to date relatively few students have raised formal complaints with their...
While it appears that to date relatively few students have raised formal complaints with their universities or taken individual action to seek a refund of their tuition fees, many students are not happy with how university courses are being delivered. … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees students should be aware of their rights and is working with stakeholders (UUK, NUS, OfS, CMA, OIA) to explore how existing communication channels can improve students' understanding of their consumer rights, noting universities are already required to make students aware of the OIA scheme.
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5 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
If a university has failed to provide the education a student has paid for, the...
If a university has failed to provide the education a student has paid for, the student is entitled to a refund from that university. However, given the likely impact of Covid-19 on universities—which could cost them around £2.5 billion in … Read more
Government Response
The government states that student entitlement to a refund depends on individual contractual agreements. It details various financial support measures provided to universities, including loans and a restructuring regime, to help them manage the financial impacts of COVID-19 and ensure sector sustainability.
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6 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
The Government has put in place unprecedented financial support measures to respond to Covid-19, paying...
The Government has put in place unprecedented financial support measures to respond to Covid-19, paying the salaries of hundreds of thousands of employees nationally, and funding grants and loans for a huge number of businesses and industries. These are exceptional … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects providing additional funding to universities for student refunds or reducing student loans as a reimbursement method. It reiterates that refunds are a matter for individual providers based on contractual arrangements and points to existing stabilisation packages for the sector.
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7 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
While it is too early to know what effect the Covid-19 outbreak will have on...
While it is too early to know what effect the Covid-19 outbreak will have on university courses in the next academic year, there will not be a return to business as usual. We hope that all universities will be able … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms that any actions taken regarding student refunds or course repeats will apply to students in the 2020/21 academic year, thereby rejecting the recommendation for such arrangements to extend to students affected by COVID-19 in future academic years.
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Covi…
University students whose courses have been affected by Covid-19, particularly those in their final year,...
University students whose courses have been affected by Covid-19, particularly those in their final year, are understandably concerned about the impact the disruption to their courses could have on their futures. We welcome the Government’s acknowledgment of these concerns, and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges challenges for graduates and highlights general employment support like the Kickstart Scheme. It states a working group has been established to consider existing or additional guidance for postgraduate study opportunities, but does not commit to providing additional funding for students to extend their education or specific ongoing employment advice.
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 26 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 10
Total 26 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 29 letters
29 Apr 2021 From committee Letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families relating to Parent and child group singing
Parliament page
29 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families relating to parent and child group singing
Parliament page
1 Apr 2021 From committee Letter to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families regarding guidance for early years and childcare providers
Parliament page
13 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers & Labour Markets responding to the Committee's First Report: The impact of COVID-19 on maternity and parental leave.
Parliament page
24 Sep 2020 From committee Letter to the Prime Minister regarding the impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave
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24 Sep 2020 From committee Letter to the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets regarding the impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave
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20 Aug 2020 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Education regarding student grading
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4 Aug 2020 From committee Letter to Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets regarding maternity leave
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27 May 2020 From committee Letter to Huw Merriman MP - Transport Committee - Aviation petition
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18 May 2020 To committee Response from Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
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18 May 2020 From committee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
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24 Apr 2020 From committee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - BSL
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23 Apr 2020 From committee Letter to Select Committee Chairs - scrutiny of the Government’s response to the Coronavirus crisis
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15 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Matt Hancock MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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14 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Oliver Dowden MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from George Eustice MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Justin Tomlinson MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Grant Shapps MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Robert Jenrick MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Rishi Sunak MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Response from Nick Gibb MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Grant Shapps MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Matt Hancock MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Thérèse Coffey MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Oliver Dowden MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Gavin Williamson MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to George Eustice MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Alok Sharma MP and Rishi Sunak MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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30 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Robert Jenrick MP - The Government's response to Coronavirus
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