Asked by: Baroness Drake (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what further initiatives they will put in place to build and maintain a consensus with Parliament, devolved administrations and local governments on how the national interests can best be met as the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted and they seek to rebuild the economy.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Protecting the health and safety of the public is, and must always be, our top priority. The UK Government is working with the Devolved Administrations and local government to keep the whole of the UK safe. For example, back to work guidance documents have been developed in consultation with approximately 250 businesses, unions, industry leaders as well as the Devolved Administrations.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is working with local resilience forums to coordinate the response of local public?services, and?provide?support to the most vulnerable in our communities. The department has published guidance here for local councils during the coronavirus outbreak:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-government
It is vital that Parliament can continue to scrutinise the Government and legislate to support the coronavirus response.