Hi all

New here - have had a quick look and I think I may have been one of the first to get responses back. In short - highly impressed by McVey - she's voting them down at every turn and using her Express column to build awareness (still seems to like masks though sadly). The Cabinet Office response basically reads like a f*ck off - we will do what we want because Corbyn gifted us a huge majority. Happy to share my original letter but it won't be things we are not all aware of at this point. They seemed to misunderstand my point about Sweden which led to them to make a few odd claims.

"I have now received a response from the Cabinet Office regarding the Government's response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Thank you for your words of encouragement and your vote for as long as we are both in Tatton! As well as voting against the Government on the extension of the Coronavirus Emergency Act,I also voted against the Rule of 6 and the 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants- I do advocate an approach that issues clear, concise guidance and then places more faith in peoples ability to make decisions for themselves. I have enclosed a copy of the response for your reference
ESTHER MCVEY MP".

"Thank you for your email of 29 September on behalf of your constituent, Mr XXXX, regarding concerns about the Government's response to the pandemic. I am responding as the Paymaster General. I can assure Mr Bishop that the Government has been working day and night to battle against the coronavirus, delivering a strategy designed at all times to protect the NHS and save lives. Guided by medical and scientific expertise, we have implemented specific measures to reduce the spread of the virus at the time they will be most effective. Our response has ensured that the NHS has been given all the support it needs to make sure everyone requiring coronavirus treatment has received it, as well as providing protection to businesses and reassurance to workers.

Mr XXX mentions Sweden and I want to highlight to him that Sweden and the UK are
geographically and culturally very different. The response to COVID-19 is a choice for each country, but it is not true to say that Sweden did not impose any restrictions. Whilst the Swedish government did not enforce such a strict lockdown as the UK, they did impose restrictions, including on travel and banning visits to care homes. The Swedish government also issued advice which closely mirrored lockdown protocols. There was a high level of compliance with the advice, and 85-90% of Swedes continue to follow social distancing guidelines. Therefore, adopting a similar approach to Sweden is unlikely to have the same effect in the UK.

I want to emphasise that the NHS has been working very hard through trying circumstances and how very grateful we are to staff for their efforts in these challenging times. Throughout the pandemic the NHS has remained open for urgent care, and it is vital all those who need medical care come forward and seek help. Indeed, emergency hospital admissions have increased with a substantial rebound in routine appointments and operations, which have more than doubled since the peak of the pandemic. We are supporting the NHS to safely restore urgent and non-urgent services. We have committed E300 million capital funding to upgrade A&E departments ahead of winter to expand waiting areas and increase the number of treatment cubicles. This is, of course, on top of the record 233.9 billion NHS cash funding boost.
Lastly, let me assure Mr XXX that the Government has an ambitious plan to ensure businesses across the country can get back on their feet as soon as possible, and in the safest way possible. The Prime Minister has made good on his promise to stand by businesses and workers through this unprecedented health emergency. Our swift actions have helped to protect people's jobs and livelihoods.

The Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, recently outlined additional government support to provide certainty to businesses and workers impacted by coronavirus across the U.K. The measures will continue to protect jobs and help businesses through the uncertain months ahead as we continue to tackle the spread of the virus. The package includes a new Jobs Support Scheme to protect millions of returning workers, extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and 15% VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors, and help for businesses in repaying government-
backed loans.

As the Prime Minister has said, the UK's economy is dynamic and creative, and will
bounce back. We will be strengthening our commitment to uniting and levelling up - infrastructure and technology, education, investment in our future and building the platform that business needs for growth. I hope this reply is helpful to Mr XXXX. Please pass on my thanks to him for taking the time to write. As we begin to recover and return to our way of life, it is vital that we all stay alert, so that we can control the virus and save lives.

Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP
PAYMASTER GENERAL
"