Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline police officers.

Our police do a very demanding job and continue to dedicate themselves to protecting the public during this hugely challenging time. We recognise that the pandemic will have no doubt had an impact on their wellbeing. The Government and police leaders take this matter very seriously and are working to support the mental and physical wellbeing of all police officers and staff.

This includes providing ongoing funding to the National Police Wellbeing Service in England and Wales, which is helping forces to identify where there is most risk of impacts on mental health, developing work around building resilience, as well as supporting those who need it in response to traumatic events.

The Government has also accelerated work to introduce a Police Covenant for England and Wales, which will ensure our police get the support and protection they need. The Covenant will be enshrined in law as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, introduced to Parliament on 9 March. The legislation provides a statutory duty for the Home Secretary to report annually to Parliament on the work undertaken. Our focus will be on health and wellbeing, physical protection and support for families, with a real emphasis on mental health support.