Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authority housing officers are classified as key workers during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

The Government published guidance on GOV.UK on 19 March setting out how the children of those whose work is critical to the Covid-19 response can continue to receive support from schools if they cannot be safely cared for at home.

Housing Officers undertake a wide range of roles and their responsibilities can vary significantly between local authority landlords, so it is for local authorities to determine whether their role is considered to be critical under the terms of the guidance.

The guidance is clear that if workers think they fall within the critical categories, they should confirm with their employer that their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.