Olivia calls on Matt Hancock to change rules for the clinically extremely vulnerable

No one should have to go against the advice of their doctor and risk loosing their life, for fear of losing their job or not making ends meet. With record Covid-19 infections, Matt Hancock must urgently change the rules so the clinically extremely vulnerable are not made to risk their lives.

In November I wrote to the Minister about my constituent, whose clinically extremely vulnerable mother was told that she must return to her public facing job and won’t be able to receive furlough, despite her GP saying that she is “risking her life” by doing so.

In December I asked the Department to share the evidence behind the decision to not reinstate shielding advice for the clinically vulnerable. The department’s response was that they would not be able to respond within the usual timeframe. Is this because there isn’t such evidence?

In just a few months the clinically extremely vulnerable will have had vaccinations and be able to safely return to work in public facing jobs. But before then the government must step in to make sure no one is forced to risk their life for fear of loosing their job.

Thank you to my constituents for raising this with me. I will continue to do everything I can to push the government to follow the science and change the rules so that the clinically extremely vulnerable are supported until it is safe for them to go back to work.

UPDATE: The Prime Minister reintroduced shielding on January 4th as part of the announcement of the third national lockdown.