Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to encourage relevant manufacturing companies to switch production to the manufacture of (a) personal protective equipment and (b) hand sanitiser or its key ingredients.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor is chairing a regular Economic and Business Response Committee with Ministers from across the Government. The Committee will respond to the impact on businesses, supply chains, and the wider economy caused by the pandemic, and will request advice and support from industry where necessary.

Secretaries of State will also hold sector-specific roundtables, including with theaviation, retail, manufacturing, food, insurance, financial services, sport, entertainment and events, and tourism and hospitality industries.

Any business who is able to help should get in touch at: gcfcovid19enquiries@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.