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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the guidance published by his Department in respect of offices and contact centres, entitled Working safely during coronavirus, whether he has plans to amend that guidance to encourage staff to return to work in the event that occupiers have undertaken risk assessments and developed safe working environments and practices in line with that guidance.

We will keep the guidance under review and will consider updating it as circumstances change. We are being led by the science and we will make changes to the guidance when they are needed and as we learn best practices from businesses.

We know that every organisation is different. Employers can use the guidance to create specific plans for their business in consultation with those who are affected by their operations, including workers and contractors. Return to work plans will depend on the nature of each business, such as the sector, and the details of the workforce and operations.