Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with SAGE on the (a) recent rise in covid-19 infections, (b) scale of pressure on the NHS and (c) potential need to take steps to reduce covid-19 hospital admissions.

There have been no specific discussions. As we enter a new phase of the response, the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies is not expecting to meet on a regular basis but will advise Ministers if required.