Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to protect care workers from contracting COVID-19.

It is vital to protect the care workers who are providing personal care for vulnerable individuals in the social care sector. On 13 May we announced an additional £600 million to support providers through a new Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund. The Fund sets out the measures providers can take to support the workforce to minimise the spread of infection, including ensuring staff can self-isolate or reduce the number of establishments they work at, without experiencing any loss of income.

Care workers should receive personal protective equipment (PPE) from the care provider they work for in line with the latest Government recommendations. We are committed to ensuring that all areas have access to PPE, and are working around the clock with the industry, the National Health Service, social care providers and the army to ensure urgent supply of PPE.