Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has provide financial assistance to clinically vulnerable people in the event that their place of work remains open but they are unable to attend that place work as a result of health concerns during the period of new national covid-19 lockdown from 5 November 2020.

BEIS Safer Workplaces guidance advises that workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. If an individual cannot work from home, clinically vulnerable individuals can still attend their workplace as their workplace should be COVID-secure. Employers are required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable will previously have received a letter from the NHS or their GP informing them of this and may have been advised to shield in the past. Individuals who receive a notification that they need to shield should not go in to work if they are unable to work from home.

Employees who are clinically extremely vulnerable can be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and remain eligible for New Style Employment and Support Allowance, subject to the wider eligibility criteria. Where they are not furloughed, and they cannot work from home, they may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from their employer.

Where an individual’s income is reduced while off work sick and they require further financial support, they may be able to receive Universal Credit, depending on their personal circumstances.