Stay home and stay safe, Speaker urges staff
9 June 2020
House staff and MPs' staff who can work from home should do so and resist returning to the parliamentary estate - to continue to keep themselves and their colleagues safe, the Speaker has insisted.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle reiterated the message after the House of Commons Commission, which he chairs, heard some confusion had been caused by recent announcements.
Georgina Kester, chair of MAPSA – the Members' and Peers' Staff Association – said the Government's plan to reopen department stores and shopping centres on 15 June had made some staff question whether they were also expected back.
But Sir Lindsay said the message still stands. “Nothing has changed since lockdown - all staff who can work remotely should stay away from Parliament,” he said.
“This is about ensuring the continuing safety of staff and the safety of people who are working in the House and keeping the numbers down.
“MPs are individual employers and I would expect them to ensure the health and welfare of their staff is paramount - and to urge their employees not to come on to the estate.”