Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of covid-19 restrictions on people in flat shares; and what steps he is taking to (a) support the mental health and (b) combat loneliness of people living in flat sharing arrangements.

The Government has considered the need to limit social contact for people living in all types of accommodation. Individuals in shared accommodation, like others, can meet friends and family as part of a group of no more than six people in total, except where specific local restrictions apply.

We recognise how difficult it has been for people to be cut off from their friends and family throughout the past few months and the Government has taken steps to provide £4.2 million additional funding to mental health charities and other charities providing bereavement support. This funding is part of an overall £750 million package for the voluntary sector announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in April.