Social Distancing: Coronavirus

(asked on 8th June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the financial effect of the covid-19 lockdown restrictions on people who are (a) shielding, (b) isolating with someone who is shielding and (c) social distancing as a result of being clinically vulnerable.


Answered by
Justin Tomlinson Portrait
Justin Tomlinson
This question was answered on 16th June 2020

The public health guidance is clear. People are encouraged to work from home where they can. If they cannot, they can still go to work, but need to follow the guidance, for example about social distancing and hand washing. Only those in the shielding group or who are isolating because they or someone in their household has symptoms, or are isolating because they have been contacted by the test and trace service, are advised not to go to work.

A range of support has been made available for people who cannot work. For example:

  • 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. The decision to access the CJRS is at the employer’s discretion. The CJRS will close to new entrants from 30 June. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30 June.
  • We have introduced new provisions making Statutory Sick Pay payable from day 1 – as opposed to day 4 – where an eligible individual is sick, self-isolating or shielding.
  • People who are not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay may be able to claim Universal Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance, and this will include those people who are self-isolating in accordance with government guidelines.
  • We have relaxed the seven waiting days for Employment and Support Allowance for new claimants who may have coronavirus, or isolating in accordance with the government guidelines, or caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories, or those extremely vulnerable individuals who have been advised to shield because they are at high risk of severe illness, so they will be entitled from day one of their claim.
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