Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for staffing problems at the local elections in England in May 2021 as a result of (1) reluctance among potential workers to volunteer to carry out duties at polling stations, and (2) the need for extra staff at polling stations to act as (a) ‘greeters’, and (b) cleaners.

The Government appreciates the issues around using schools as polling places and asks that returning officers consider other venues where possible to minimise disruption to education. Where schools are designated as polling places, it should be with due consideration and for sound practical reasons. It can be the case that schools represent the most suitable and accessible locations and, in some instances, provide the only appropriate location for the situation of a polling station. Schools and local authorities should follow public health advice with regard to necessary cleaning and consider how this can be undertaken efficiently to ensure minimal disruption.

The Government has considered issues around staffing at the May 2021 elections with the electoral sector and Public Health England, and the Electoral Commission has included reference to this in recent guidance.