Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Minister has the authority to impose contingency plans in the event of severe staff shortages as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
The Prime Minister has tasked ministers to work closely with their respective sectors to test preparations and contingency planning so that disruption caused by increased COVID-19 infection is minimised in public services and supply chains.
Public and private sector leaders are best placed to manage their workforces. The Government is working with sector leaders to ensure that robust plans are in place and any disruption to services is minimised, as far as possible.
The Government has already deployed a number of interventions and will continue to monitor developments.