The NHS test and trace service is already alerting the close recent contacts of everyone who tests positive for the virus, so that they can self-isolate to prevent the spread. The app is intended to complement that service and continues to be piloted on the Isle of Wight. Consideration is being given to next steps in light of the wider NHS test and trace programme.

The hon. Gentleman makes a series of very important points. The Isle of Wight was an appropriate place in which to trial the app, because by definition trialling it in a geographically secure, as it were, community was one way to make sure that we could conduct that trial in an effective way and in a way that allowed us to learn lessons rapidly. Trialling the app in other parts of

the United Kingdom would have posed significant challenges, but he is absolutely right to remind us that the BAME community is more affected by covid-19, and that there are elements within the BAME community that have concerns about the exercise of state power in maintaining public order and in other areas. We are very sensitive to both of those issues. It is absolutely critical that we continue to work to identify more effectively those factors among the BAME community and others which predispose them towards either catching the virus or suffering more adversely. Of course, when it comes to our proud tradition of policing by consent and the protection of civil liberties, we need to maintain those traditions in order to command the confidence of all our citizens.

The app will give the public a simple way to make a difference and to help keep themselves and their families safe. It will be one of a number of tools we use in the fight against COVID-19 but it will be voluntary. People will have the choice of whether or not to download the app and they will be able to delete it whenever they like. We intend to withdraw the app once the epidemic is over.

We will always comply with the law around the use of data and we will be publishing a Data Protection Impact Assessment in due course.

Everyone will benefit from the app because – if enough people with smartphones do download it – it will help to stop the spread. We are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that as many people as possible can access and benefit from the app.

We are reviewing when the app will be available nationally. It will be part of a wider approach that will involve traditional contact tracing and testing.

The app will give the public a simple way to make a difference and to help keep themselves and their families safe. It will be one of a number of tools we use in the fight against COVID-19 but it will be voluntary. People will have the choice of whether or not to download the app and they will be able to delete it whenever they like. We intend to withdraw the app once the epidemic is over.

We will always comply with the law around the use of data and we will be publishing a Data Protection Impact Assessment in due course.

Everyone will benefit from the app because – if enough people with smartphones do download it – it will help to stop the spread. We are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that as many people as possible can access and benefit from the app.

We are reviewing when the app will be available nationally. It will be part of a wider approach that will involve traditional contact tracing and testing.

The app will give the public a simple way to make a difference and to help keep themselves and their families safe. It will be one of a number of tools we use in the fight against COVID-19 but it will be voluntary. People will have the choice of whether or not to download the app and they will be able to delete it whenever they like. We intend to withdraw the app once the epidemic is over.

We will always comply with the law around the use of data and we will be publishing a Data Protection Impact Assessment in due course.

Everyone will benefit from the app because – if enough people with smartphones do download it – it will help to stop the spread. We are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that as many people as possible can access and benefit from the app.

We are reviewing when the app will be available nationally. It will be part of a wider approach that will involve traditional contact tracing and testing.

The app will give the public a simple way to make a difference and to help keep themselves and their families safe. It will be one of a number of tools we use in the fight against COVID-19 but it will be voluntary. People will have the choice of whether or not to download the app and they will be able to delete it whenever they like. We intend to withdraw the app once the epidemic is over.

We will always comply with the law around the use of data and we will be publishing a Data Protection Impact Assessment in due course.

Everyone will benefit from the app because – if enough people with smartphones do download it – it will help to stop the spread. We are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that as many people as possible can access and benefit from the app.

We are reviewing when the app will be available nationally. It will be part of a wider approach that will involve traditional contact tracing and testing.

As the Solicitor General explained in Parliament on 28 April, the contact tracing app will be for voluntary participation only.

An ethical advisory board will be convened to monitor the use of the app.

No private identifying information will be kept on it and it will be data protection compliant.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. It is a pleasure to be here and to see you—virtually or otherwise.

Her Majesty’s Government are actively considering a range of further options for managing the effect of the outbreak of covid-19. A careful assessment of any implications for civil liberties, including the impact on human rights, equality and privacy, will be an important part of these considerations.

I am very pleased that the hon. Gentlemen is supportive of the contact tracing app. It is very important because everyone will benefit from the app. If enough people with smartphones download it, it will help stop the spread, slow the epidemic, and protect the NHS. I can assure him and others that the app will be for voluntary participation only. There will be no private identifiable information on it. The whole process will be compliant with data protection and there will be an ethical advisory board monitoring it.

The UK-wide Pollinator Monitoring Research Partnership was established with funding from Defra and the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

The total cost over the three-year project period from 2016 to 2019 was £282,720.

In-kind contributions from UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK CEH) and other academic and voluntary organisations were also committed to the project, to a value of £201,804 (for example for staff time, data sharing, software). The monitoring work itself was co-ordinated by UK CEH.

A follow-up project is now underway, building on the outcomes from this first one. Further details are available on the GOV.UK website at:

http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/