Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when covid-19 risk assessments were undertaken for his Department's offices in (a) Victoria Street and (b) Quarry House; who carried out those risk assessments; what proportion of staff will be able to return to work in those offices; what reduction in workplace capacity those risk assessments identified; how decisions on which staff will be required return to his Department's offices are made; and if he will place a copy of those risk assessments in the Library.

A COVID-19 risk assessment was carried out for the whole of the Departmental estate, including 39 Victoria Street and Quarry House, and the assessment was published to staff on 10 June 2020.

The risk assessment was carried out by the Deputy Director for Property and Smarter Working and signed off by the Department’s Executive Committee.

The COVID-safe capacity at 39 Victoria Street is 380 and at Quarry House it is 300. That represents approximately a 60% reduction in workplace capacity.

The Department worked with directors to identify individuals who needed to return to the office. These staff members have had discussions with line managers and been provided with access to a desk booking system as well as updates on the COVID-safety measures within Departmental buildings.