Coronavirus Response

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:48 pm on 20 July 2020.

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Photo of Matthew Hancock Matthew Hancock Secretary of State for Health and Social Care 4:48, 20 July 2020

I am pleased to congratulate all those working in Buckinghamshire—the council, the CCG and the other parts of the NHS—on their work to keep Buckinghamshire safe. The number of infections across Buckinghamshire is very low now, and we want to keep it that way.

I also take this opportunity to answer part of the question from my hon. Friend Mrs Wheeler that I did not answer. More powers, as well more data, will be available to local areas to take more local action themselves, without having to refer up to the Secretary of State to use my powers. Of course, national Government hold further powers for significant action, which we have had to use just the once, but we will give local areas more powers, as well as more data, to be able to grip this issue locally.