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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to support business to comply with social distancing measures when covid-19 lockdown measures are eased.

On Monday the Government published guidance on how to work safely in a number of different working environments so that employers can use the guidance which is most relevant to them. This guidance will help organisations meet their obligations under health and safety law, and the Government will continue to engage across the economy as this guidance beds in.

If work cannot be carried out from home then it is important that social distancing is maintained, as per the scientific advice. If social distancing cannot be carried out, employers should consider whether the task can go ahead, or if it can be altered to allow for social distancing.

The Government has also announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency, including a Bounce Back Loans scheme.