Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps have been taken by (a) the Government, (b) Public Health England and (c) NHS England to test the effectiveness of the covid-19 guidance and related public communications with (a) adults aged 60 and over, (b) people designated as clinically vulnerable and (c) people designated as clinically extremely vulnerable.

The Department, Public Health England and NHS England and NHS Improvement have engaged widely with clinicians, patients and patient organisations on policy and communications aimed at those people designated as clinically extremely vulnerable. This includes organising a number of focus groups to better understand how messages and communication channels on shielding have landed with audiences including those who are 70 and over and people who identify as clinically extremely vulnerable and clinically vulnerable. These insights continue to inform our communications.