Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will provide funding to local councils to coordinate community volunteering efforts during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement,.

DCMS is responsible for the voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector, which includes volunteering.

We recognise and appreciate how much local communities have contributed towards volunteering efforts during the covid-19 outbreak. We advise that all volunteers do not enter the homes of vulnerable people and can provide support by assisting with food shopping, collecting medication and staying in touch via social media. Further information can be found on GOV.UK in the volunteering safely guidance published last week.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has outlined the support available to local authorities on its website.