Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that people (a) who are shielding, (b) who live with people who are shielding and (c) identified as clinically vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak but are not shielding are furloughed by employers where that is an option.

Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public health guidance, or who need to stay home with someone who is shielding, can be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Those who are clinically vulnerable but not shielding are eligible for furlough on the same grounds as other employees. Any decision to access the CJRS is at the employer’s discretion.