Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in her Department have formal arrangements to work from home during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department for International Trade (DIT), including UK Export Finance, has been operating a policy of working from home by default for those staff living and working in the United Kingdom, in line with UK Government guidelines. We have provided guidance on working from home, including information on the safe and secure use of technology and data, as well as advice on wellbeing, mental health and staying connected.

There are a small number of essential staff who are working in the office where work cannot be undertaken remotely. We estimate that this is currently in the region of 10 at any one time. This is by exception and requires prior approval from a senior manager.

For our workforce based overseas, we are working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to adopt appropriate working arrangements based on the specific circumstances of the countries we are operating in. This includes temporary return to the UK in some instances. The vast majority of DIT staff in overseas locations have the ability to work remotely and have been instructed to do so, in line with UK Government advice.