Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what impact assessment he has undertaken on the Coronavirus Bill for people with speech, language and communication needs.

An impact assessment and Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) assessment was conducted in relation to the provisions contained in the Coronavirus Bill. The PSED requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities, including those with protected characteristics. We will continue to consider the impacts on people with protected characteristics when considering how to implement policies using powers contained in the Act.