Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the effect on (a) UK output and (b) tax revenues of changing the social distancing guidance from two metres to one metre.

We cannot isolate the impact of shifting from two metres to one metre in the social distancing guidance on UK output and tax revenues. However, it is clear that Covid-19 and the wider social distancing measures are having an unprecedented impact on the economy which has suffered a 20.4% fall in GDP in April.

We recognise the challenges facing businesses in adapting to the Covid-19 guidance during this time.

It is for this reason that the Prime Minister has commissioned a comprehensive review of the 2m guidance, which has been published and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-two-metre-social-distancing-guidance

As he announced to the House on Tuesday 23 June, where it is not possible to keep two metres apart, businesses will be able to maintain a social distance of ‘one-metre plus’ from 4 July, provided that they take precautionary steps to reduce risks to protect and customers.

The Government continues to publish Covid-secure guidance to help sectors reopen in the safest way possible, as well as continuing to take robust actions to protect jobs, income and support businesses while fighting the virus during this challenging and unique period.