Stephen Farry, the Alliance MP, asks when Johnson will accept that it will be necessary to extend the Brexit transition.
Johnson says his focus is coronavirus. “The other matter” has been legislated on, he says.
(Under the EU [Withdrawal Agreement] Act ministers are not allowed to request an extension. There is a widespread assumption that, despite what the government is saying now, and despite the act, which can be amended, an extension will happen.)
Andy Carter, a Conservative, asks for an assurance that the government will do all it can to save lives.
Yes, says Johnson.
Johnson says he agrees on the need to work collectively on the search for a vaccine. He says the UK is working with the EU, the G7 and the WHO on this.
Labour’s Chris Bryant urges the PM to look at the coronavirus crisis through the eyes of the Rhondda. There are a lot of sole traders there, and a lot of people who are already being laid off. He says he does not want to be partisan, but he thinks they are being overlooked. He suggests some some version of winter fuel payments, or VAT holidays for sole traders.
Johnson says Bryant speaks powerfully. He says he will do whatever it takes. He welcomes the suggestion for a cross-party approach.
Edward Timpson, a Conservative, says the NHS is working day and night to care for people. What is the PM doing to bring together a coalition of manufacturers to provide more ventilators, and other equipment needed?
Johnson says there is already a coalition of manufacturers working on this.
Johnson pays tribute to teachers, and thanks them for their work in keeping schools open. He says further decisions will be taken “imminently” on schools, that will square the circle of stopping the spread of the disease, while wanting to relief the pressure on the NHS.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, says this is an unprecedented emergency. It requires an unprecedented response. He says he welcomes the fact that parties in the Commons, and governments across the UK, are working together.
He says the government needs to announce a financial package for people, to match the financial package for business. He says MPs from across the house support the idea of a temporary universal basic income. Will Johnson accept this idea?
Johnson says MPs should not underestimate the value of the measures already announced. But it is important to take steps to support workers too. That is one of many such suggestions, he says.
Blackford says thousands of people are already losing their jobs. He says people need an income guarantee today. We must not repeat history, he says. People are worried about their bills. In the last financial crisis the banks were bailed out, but not the people. He says an emergency universal income scheme would protect people. Will the PM commit to meeting opposition parties to discuss this?
Johnson says he will meet them. And he agrees with what Blackford said about not wanting to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Corbyn says our response must be bold. The market cannot deliver what is needed, he says. He says people understand the need for temporary restrictions. But the PM must understand that that requires balancing action from the government.
The health of us all depends on the health of the most vulnerable.
Will the PM give the most vulnerable the help they need?
Johnson says he can. He says that is why the government has announced £500m for councils.
He says government is asking the public to do extraordinary things. But the more we can act together, the more we will relieve the burden on the NHS, the more we will save lives and the quicker we will get through this.
Corbyn says the WHO says “test, test, test”. He says even 10,000 a day would be nowhere near the number of staff in the NHS.
Staff are told they do not have to wear full protective gear when treating patients. He quotes one saying doctors are scared. They should not be. They should be protected.
Johnson says testing is move up to 25,000 tests a day.
On PPE (personal protective equipment), he says a massive effort is under way to ensure enough equipment is available.
Updated