Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend (1) shielding, and (2) financial support, for immunosuppressed clinically extremely vulnerable people while research into the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines is carried out.

The Government is currently advising everyone considered clinically extremely vulnerable to shield and is providing the guidance and support required to enable this until 31 March. This includes financial support such as the free medicines delivery service and eligibility for statutory sick pay and other benefits for those who are unable to work from home. The Government has also extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme until 30 September 2021.

Any decision to extend or end shielding measures will be decided upon by the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Officers and will be based on the latest scientific evidence. Further information will be provided in the coming weeks to all clinically extremely vulnerable people outlining the guidance that they should follow beyond 31 March.