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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 May 2020 to Question 40963 on Horticulture: Coronavirus, if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) scientific advice and (b) risk assessment evaluation which informed the decision that garden centres should remain closed during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Garden centres in England may open from Wednesday 13 May, and the Regulations for England will be updated to provide clarity to garden centre owners, and the public. We strongly encourage both employers and customers to continue to follow social distancing guidance at all times in order to protect public health and our economy. Advice on social distancing is published on gov.uk https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19

At all times we have been consistently guided by scientific advice to protect lives. HMG have published evidence discussed at SAGE on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response). These documents show the scientific evidence that helped shape SAGE advice that went to Ministers and COBR. Further research is being continually developed and used to inform advice to decision makers and we will ensure this is published as soon as it is no longer under consideration.