Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will provide funding to local authorities to reintroduce a nationwide meals on wheels service for the vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

MHCLG continues to work with local authorities to develop appropriate measures that ensure those most vulnerable have access to food and drink throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

On 23 March, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for this Department announced steps to protect 1.5 million high-risk individuals. These individuals received letters asking them to shield themselves and stay at home for the next 12 weeks.

To support these high-risk individuals, we are working with local authorities, the food industry, local resilience and emergency partners, and voluntary groups to ensure these individuals have essential items such as groceries and medicine through deliveries and priority supermarket delivery slots, if they do not have alternative means of accessing these.

In addition, we have announced over £3.2 billion in funding to support local authorities to respond to this pandemic.