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Health secretary Steve Barclay insists situation being monitored ‘closely’
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Health secretary Steve Barclay has insisted the risk of the public getting diphtheria is “very low” despite an expected rise in the number of infections being recorded among asylum seekers.
He said hundreds of migrants were vaccinated against the highly contagious disease before being moved out of the Manston processing centre in Kent to hotels around the country, but stressed the situation was being monitored “closely”.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had identified 39 diphtheria cases among asylum seekers in England this year by 10 November. The number is understood to have risen to about 50, with officials expected to confirm the figure later.
Asked about the risk to the general public, he added: “The risk is very low, partly because there is very high uptake of vaccination within the British public in the first place.
“But also we had a targeted action of vaccinations at Manston and so 500 people were vaccinated before they actually left Manston, and it’s something that UKHSA are monitoring extremely closely.”
A Cabinet minister has hinted that Rishi Sunak could back down amid a growing Tory rebellion trying to force him to drop a ban on new onshore wind farms.
However, Downing Street appeared to push back on suggestions of a U-turn, stressing there is no “imminent change” to the Prime Minister’s opposition to relaxing planning rules around onshore wind.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps denied the challenge constitutes a “row” or that there is a “massive gulf” between the rebels and the government.
Read more here:
The Business Secretary suggested Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could drop a ban on new developments to avoid a defeat.
Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty has met Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, outside No 10 Downing Street.
Ms Zelenska briefly waved and smiled to the assemblage cameras on Downing Street as she arrived on an overcast and rainy Monday afternoon in Westminster.
Ms Murty welcomed Ms Zelenska on the pavement outside No 10 amid a heavy security presence as the pair exchanged a hug before walking inside the building.
The First Lady of Ukraine is in London to participate in an international conference on preventing sexual violence during conflicts.
Downing Street has said the government is working with councils where migrants from processing centres with possible diphtheria have been put up in hotels.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman told reporters: “We take the safety and welfare of people accommodated at these sites very seriously.
“We’re working closely with the UK Health Security Agency and other health professionals and indeed councils to make sure all medical guidance and the robust protocols are followed and that we have contingency plans.
“You’ll know that those who are accommodated in these sites are offered the vaccinations. So we offer them to people at Manston, they have 24/7 health facilities and trained medical staff on hand.
“I think it’s important to emphasise to the public the low risk, particularly given vaccination rates for diphtheria are high amongst the UK population.”
Asked if councils taking in migrants from Manston have been warned about the risks of the highly contagious disease, the spokesman confirmed the government is “working with local councils”, including those where migrants are being housed.
The official did not know the latest number of migrants at the Kent processing facility, saying only it is “significantly below capacity”.
Downing Street has suggested Grant Shapps was pointing to existing rules when he spoke about local consent needed for onshore wind developments.
Asked if the business secretary was signalling an imminent U-turn, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “You’ve got our position – I’m sure he’s pointing to the rules that are already in place: to allow for consultation.”
U-turns were a staple of both the Boris Johnson and Liz Truss premierships, writes Chris Stevenson. It does not project an image of control.
U-turns were a staple of both the Boris Johnson and LIz Truss premierships, writes Chris Stevenson. It does not project an image of control
No 10 has indicated it would not predict “what might happen in the future” on onshore wind.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “You’ll know there are quite detailed rules around onshore wind and what is allowed – it requires developers to consult with communities in advance (of making) a planning application.
“So I’m not going to predict what might happen in the future.”
He said the government considers amendments to Bills “as they’re put forward”.
“The prime minister has talked at great length about his views on where the focus should be on renewables, where he is talking about building more wind turbines offshore in order to boost energy security and also the importance of ensuring communities support any action the government takes on renewables,” he said.
“So we will continue to have discussions as we would do normally.”
He said he did not believe the Commons leader had come forward with a timetable for the Bill, but “they will do so, I’m sure, in the normal way”.
Rishi Sunak has denounced the arrest of a BBC journalist covering protests in China as “shocking and unacceptable”.
Ed Lawrence was detained at a demonstration in Shanghai over Covid restrictions on Sunday and held for several hours before being released.
Footage shared on social media showed several police officers grabbing Mr Lawrence and pinning him to the ground. The BBC said he was beaten and kicked by police officers, and then taken away in handcuffs.
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has more:
Ukraine-Russia news latest updates today
More than 500 people at the Manston asylum centre were vaccinated against diphtheria, the health secretary says, after controversy over their removal to hotels.
Suella Braverman, the home secretary, is under fresh pressure after a report that more than 70 people suspected to have the highly-contagious disease were relocated across the country.
But Steve Barclay denied the government has been negligent – as he insisted there is only a “very low” risk to the general public, because most people also have the protection of a childhood jab.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:
Steve Barclay, the health secretary, denies negligence – arguing more than 500 people at Manston were vaccinated
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