MPs will hold a debate on procurement of Evusheld in UK

[bennevisplace]

The petition “Fund Evusheld the preventative COVID19 antibody for immunocompromised' seems to have borne fruit, although it's well short of the 100,000 signatories ordinarily needed to spark a parliamentary debate. At least, that's what my email feed tells me, and it doesn't look like a hoax.

MPs will hold a debate on procurement of Evusheld, a medicine used to prevent covid-19, on Wednesday 12 October in Westminster Hall. The debate will be led by Daisy Cooper MP. The debate will start at 11am and last half an hour.

Watch the debate on Parliament TV (from 11am)

parliamentlive.tv/Commons

Read a transcript of the debate (available a few hours after the debate happens)

hansard.parliament.uk/commo...

What is a Westminster Hall debate?

Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.

[RogerPinner]

Thanks for the info. I shall listen with interest, quite a lot of interest. My MP says he supports our cause...we shall see.

I don't suppose the recent news from the FDA that Evusheld may not be so effective against some of the newer strains of Omicron will help, but again we shall see.

Thanks again, Roger

[Annie1920 in reply to RogerPinner]

The flu jab isn't that effective but in my book any protection is better than none at all

[Jetliz]

When I looked on GOV.UK website on Evusheld it seems the way Ive read it they've made up there minds its dated 6th October 2022 . Don't want to sound negative about the outcome but doesn't read well.

[Michaeljohn50]

I believe that this debate is the consequence of considerable lobbying and background work by the" Evusheld for the UK" group. They have been working with a number of Parliamentarians, Daisy Cooper in particular, to generate sufficient impetus to justify this debate despite not reaching the threshold number of signatures. I signed petition and am a member of the Evusheld group. If you are in the UK your support would be welcome.

Best wishes

Michael

[Jetliz in reply to Michaeljohn50]

I've signed the petition along with family and been in touch with my local MP with a very reassuring quick response. I always try to remain as positive as possible lets see what Wednesday brings fingers crossed.

[bennevisplace in reply to Michaeljohn50]

Grateful thanks Michael, and to all who have worked hard to make this debate happen.

[annmcgowan]

Thank you for posting. Any debate is better than none. I for one signed the petition as did my family and friends. I am very grateful to the ‘ Evusheld for the U.K.’ group for getting this underway. I really can’t comprehend, apart from the financial implications, what this government are play at by keeping the immunosuppressed in such a vulnerable position when other countries have freed them up and treat them as equal. They go on endlessly about people’s human rights and being on the side of liberty, Where are our human rights and liberties in this situation. As you can see this makes me very angry as I am sure it does us all. Just needed to ventilate my frustrations.🤞we get some justice soon.

Ann

[Ghounds in reply to annmcgowan]

They don't seem to realise it's cheaper to give Evusheld than to treat us in hospital or indeed intensive care if we need that. If not for continued shielding and precautions, effectively cutting us off from normal life, that is most likely what would be happening.

[annmcgowan in reply to Ghounds]

Hi I totally agree with you, short sighted and not costed as usual. Let’s hope this message is carried through to them on Wednesday 🤞.

Ann

[Jetliz]

Just had an email from my MP Graham Stuart stating the debate details on Wednesday and a link. Furthermore saying after MPs discuss with the Minister the Evusheld debate he will contact me with an update so cannot ask for anymore and can only wait now.

[annmcgowan]

Hi lucky you my MP sent me a standard reply months ago and has not yet responded to my request for her to attend Wednesday and give me a face to face meeting. I won’t let it rest until I have a response.

Ann

[jonathan7176]

This is obviously welcome, but a debate in Westminster Hall isn't the same as a parliamentary debate with a binding vote in the commons. In and of itself, it won't shift government policy.

It is also worth recalling that the British government, and its current health secretary, are vehemently hostile to the NHS and to public service in general, and would likely only be persuaded through a crude cost-benefit analysis to the effect that Evusheld saves taxpayers money or contributes to "growth".

[bennevisplace in reply to jonathan7176]

Do I detect a hint of scepticism? 😅Anyway it will be interesting to see how the minister responds (I guess it won't be the health secretary, could be Dr Caroline Johnson).

Cost benefit analysis is an especially useful planning tool for politicians because you can start with the result you want and flex the boundaries of your analysis until you get it. Tried and tested.

[bennevisplace]

Excellent performance Daisy Cooper.

Predictable response Robert Jenrick. Though today's the first I've heard of government's proposal for a new controlled clinical trial. Brilliant.