Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are seeking to encourage the holding of meetings remotely in the private sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the exception of the organisations covered in the Government guidance on closing non-essential shops and public spaces, the Government has not required any other businesses to close and indeed, it is important for business to carry on where this is possible.

Businesses and workplaces should make every possible effort to enable working from home as a first option. Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements, and employers should take every possible step to facilitate their employees working from home, including providing suitable IT and equipment to enable remote working.

Where working from home is not possible, employers should follow Government guidance on working safely, including consulting with workers and trade union representatives.

It is the responsibility of companies and organisations to develop working practices in line with Government guidance and employers who have people in their offices or onsite should ensure that employees are able to follow Public Health England guidelines.

The Government, in consultation with industry, has published new guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These guides cover a range of working environments and are available at www.gov.uk/workingsafely.