Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support she has provided to the police to enforce the stay local principle in the context of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Government has worked closely with the police and enforcement bodies throughout the pandemic to ensure they have the powers and resources they need to enforce the necessary restrictions we have put in place.

In October, £30m surge funding was provided to police forces to enable them to increase patrols in areas of greater footfall and ensure people across England and Wales are complying with the restrictions. This funding has ensured additional resources have been deployed to help support enforcement efforts, and to help ease workforce related pressures directly related to increasing enforcement and compliance activity across England and Wales.

In addition, local authorities may choose to deploy marshals, stewards or ambassadors in their area to support with the first three stages of the 4 Es approach: engaging with members of the public and businesses, explaining COVID-19 Secure guidelines and restrictions and encouraging them to follow these. Forces will then use enforcement, as necessary.