A strong minister should champion PPE & Covid tests

Unite Asst Gen Secretary, Manufacturing

OUR country is on course to suffer the greatest loss of life to coronavirus in Europe.

We’re a nation in shock – but without a clear lead on how we protect our NHS heroes.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s insinuation that NHS frontline staff were being fast and loose with PPE caused jaws to drop and anger to rise across the country.

Home Secretary Priti Patel’s non-apology added insult to injury.

Unite has been proud to work with employers and individuals around the country to create a volunteer “army” to manufacture protective kit.

But I’ve spoken to businesses who say that governments in other countries snatch their hands off when they offer equipment.

Yet when they try to speak to our government, their calls go into a black hole. This is not good enough.

That is why Unite is calling for a Minister for PPE and Testing, responsible to the PM, to knock the government machine into shape.

Given that the Health Secretary has been slammed by health professionals, this task has to be given to an independent minister, with the funds and clout to deliver.

There is one other demand that Unite is making: It’s time now for an inquiry into the government’s approach to the provision of PPE and testing.

Why are we still not testing at the same rate as other nations?

Lessons must be learned and improvements made so that our nation, the sixth biggest economy on the planet, never again falls short when it comes to the protection of its people.