Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the evidence that informed the decision that all licensed premises should operate on a table service only basis in order to reduce the risk of transmission of covid-19 in those settings.

The Government receives a range of inputs in order to make all of its decisions relating to COVID-19 restrictions - including monitoring the impact of restrictions in local areas via the Joint Biosecurity Centre and monitoring international experience.

Table service only will help reduce the likelihood of people in hospitality venues coming into close contact with others they would not normally meet - for example, if queuing at the bar and waiting to collect orders.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies will continue to publish minutes from its meetings and the supporting scientific papers on GOV.UK, as has been the case since the start of the pandemic.