Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria are being used to assess the effectiveness of support for people shielding and the clinically extremely vulnerable in Birmingham; and how regularly that support is assessed.

Clinically extremely vulnerable people living in Birmingham, and other parts of the West Midlands affected by the local restrictions there, are not currently advised to shield. They must observe the local COVID-19 alert level arrangements in place in their area; and are advised to continue to take precautions such as observing social distancing guidelines with others outside their household or support bubble, avoiding crowds, and keeping hands and face as clean as possible. The Government has published new guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable that is aligned to local COVID-19 alert levels.