Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to engage with the retail sector on the ability of that sector to transition back to business as normal once the covid-19 lockdown measures are eased.

We are in regular contact with a wide range of representatives of the retail sector.

I host a weekly call with non-food retailers and business representative organisations covering a range of subjects including operational challenges faced by the sector as we transition to a new normal.

The most recent call took place on 7^th May and the next one is scheduled for 14^th May.

Government is grateful to retailers and representative organisations who are engaging constructively with Government on how retailers can safely operate as restrictions begin to ease.