Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has has discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of requiring (a) police officers and (b) firefighters to have covid-19 vaccinations.

The Home Secretary and Ministers have regular contact with both the Police and Fire and Rescue Services’ Chiefs regarding a range of issues linked to the response to Covid-19 and their ability to continue to respond effectively and provide support where necessary. These meetings enable critical issues to be raised and ensure appropriate actions are taken to progress and resolve them.

From 15 December, access to vaccinations and boosters have been opened up across all ages above 18. Although taking up an offer of a Covid-19 vaccine is a personal decision for each police officer and firefighter to make, I would encourage them to take this option at the earliest opportunity to protect themselves, their colleagues and the wider public that they engage with on a regular basis.