Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date they first requested help from the British Healthcare Trades Association to obtain personal protective equipment, and other equipment, needed as a result of COVID-19; and what action has been agreed as a result of their discussions with that Association.

The Department meets with a number of trade associations, including the British Healthcare Trades Association, on a weekly basis. There have been regular discussions at these meetings on the challenges of responding to COVID-19. The Government issued a ‘call to arms’ for industry partners and other manufacturers to respond through a central hub for COVID-19 support. So far, we have received over 12,000 offers of support.