Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to support employed people from (a) 1 August 2020, (b) 1 September 2020 and (c) 1 October 2020 who (i) are over the age of 60 years and (ii) were formerly on the Government's Shielded Patient List to maintain their employment relationship with their employer until it is safe to return to work as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

From 1 August the Government has relaxed national advice to those shielding, bringing it in line with the advice to those who are clinically vulnerable. The advice is still to stay at home as much as possible. However, if they are unable to work from home they will be able to return, provided their workplace is COVID-safe.

It is important that this group continue to take careful precautions, and employers should do all they can to enable them to work from home where this is possible, including moving them to another role if required. Where this is not possible, the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) should be provided with the safest onsite roles that enable them to maintain social distancing from others.

If employers cannot provide a safe working environment, the CEV will continue to have access to the unprecedented package of financial support. This is not limited to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but also includes the introduction of the Self Employed Income Support Scheme and an increase in the generosity of welfare payments worth a further £9.3bn according to Office for Budget Responsibility estimates. Individuals over the State Pension age may be eligible for the State Pension.