Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the surge in the Indian covid-19 variant while ensuring that social distancing restrictions can continue to ease.

Additional rapid response measures will be implemented in areas where clusters of cases have been detected to stop further spread. These measures include:

- enhanced testing and contact tracing, including enhanced community and surge testing in areas defined by the local authorities and regional teams;

- increased genome sequencing of positive cases;

- increased community engagement, including ensuring that messages are accessible in languages that are used by communities;

- working closely with communities and community leaders to ensure that individuals are supported to test and self-isolate; and

- ensuring access to vaccination in the age and risk groups currently prioritised for vaccination and encouraging uptake.