Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the single adult household rule for covid-19 support bubbles for households with severely disabled children to allow grandparents to assist with childcare.

The Government recognises that the effect of long-term social distancing is likely to impact different groups in a variety of ways, including disabled people and their families. These impacts have been carefully considered as part of the process for determining what measures to include in the Coronavirus Regulations and guidance, in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty. We appreciate this is an ongoing concern which is why we are engaging with a wide range of charities and representative organisations.

Guidance on social distancing can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing

This guidance outlines that it may not always be possible or practicable to maintain social distancing when providing care to a young child, or person with a disability or health condition. People should still limit close contact as much as possible when providing these types of care and take other precautions such as washing hands and opening windows for ventilation.