Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that community publications can be delivered by (a) local deliverers and (b) delivery companies under social distancing guidance.

The government considers continued access to quality news, including via community publications, to be vitally important at the current time. My officials and I are working closely with publishers to ensure that we are aware of any issues with delivery and are responding to concerns as a matter of urgency, including, where appropriate, raising issues with Cabinet colleagues.

For the most part delivery is able to continue as normal under social distancing guidance. Journalists and ancillary staff (including those responsible for delivery) have been recognised by the government as key workers and can continue to travel as necessary for work.

Where newspapers are delivered by young people of school age it is up to local authorities to decide whether this should continue, and safeguarding children’s wellbeing is rightly their priority. However, the Department for Education has advised local authorities to take account of employers’ measures to safeguard young workers and whether these are enough to address any safeguarding concerns.