Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the ability of people living in (a) households that are overcrowded, (b) houses in multiple occupation and (c) hostels to self-isolate in response to a potential covid-19 infection; and what steps is he taking to support social housing providers to prepare for a potential outbreak of that virus.

MHCLG continues to work with local partners, including local authorities and local resilience forums, to assist preparedness to manage the potential effects of the Covid-19 outbreak.

That is why Public Health England intends to publish further guidance for hostels and day centres imminently. We are considering whether further action is required and are working with the sector to develop an appropriate response as a matter of urgency.