Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Shielding People: Covid-19

Monday 14 September 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department plans to continue offering statutory sick pay and new-style employment and support allowance to those who need to shield due to local lockdowns.
  • Government is providing guidance through the Health and Safety Executive and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to help employers make reasonable adjustments for covid-secure workplaces.
  • Changes have been made to allow people to qualify for statutory sick pay from the first day of absence due to symptoms or need for self-isolation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virendra Sharma Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Local lockdowns have been implemented in response to rising infection rates, requiring some individuals to shield and stay at home. This has financial implications for those who cannot work.

Question

What financial support her Department plans to make available to shielding people affected by local lockdowns due to covid-19?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Those in a local lockdown area who receive a notification that they need to shield will remain eligible for statutory sick pay and new-style employment and support allowance, subject to the wider eligibility criteria.

Answered
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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Employment
Context

Local lockdown measures pose challenges for workers, especially when employers do not comply with guidelines to make workplaces covid-secure. There is a need for mechanisms to ensure accountability.

Question

Will the Government offer support to employees to hold their employers to account where they are not following the guidelines and making their workplaces covid-secure?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The Government, through the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, are continuing to issue improved guidance to make it as easy as possible for employers to make reasonable adjustments. Those employees who still have concerns can either talk directly to their employers or raise them with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service or the HSE to try to get them resolved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support mechanisms not detailed; response focused on guidance and existing services rather than new specific measures.

How: Working With Partners

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Q3 Virendra Sharma Lab
NHS
Context

The TUC highlighted that a significant proportion of workers will struggle to meet financial obligations if they have to self-isolate. There is a concern that the current level of statutory sick pay may not incentivise individuals to comply with isolation measures.

Question

Will the Secretary of State increase statutory sick pay to ensure no one is left behind and keep the country covid-secure?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

We have already made changes to the eligibility for statutory sick pay so that people can qualify from the first day rather than wait until the fourth day. We have extended it to those with symptoms, those who need to self-isolate, or those who need to self-isolate ahead of a hospital procedure.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific increase in statutory sick pay amount not addressed; response focused on eligibility changes and additional support measures.

How: Under Review

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