Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what steps (a) the Government and (b) House Authorities plan to take to mitigate the higher risk to BAME (a) staff and (b) hon. Members of contracting covid-19.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
The Government is clear that the House Authorities must continue to ensure that the Estate is safe and that we must all continue to work in line with public health advice. The House Authorities have been undertaking risk assessments of various work spaces and are in direct contact with Public Health England (PHE) on any specific concerns. PHE also published its review at the beginning of June to help us understand how Covid-19 may affect different ethnic groups. The Equalities Minister is taking forward further work following the PHE Review so that we can better understand the disparities. The Government continues to advise members of the parliamentary community, such as Members’ staff and most House staff, to continue to work from home where they can. I would like to commend the House Authorities for their work in ensuring that the Parliamentary Estate is a Covid-19 secure workplace, and I have every confidence in their efforts to make sure House staff at increased risk of contracting coronavirus are suitably protected.