WIREDGOV

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to a report by Which? on how some high-risk or vulnerable people are unable to access the food and supplies they need during the coronavirus pandemic 

“Councils are working hard to protect those most vulnerable to this virus and to support the government scheme to deliver food and supplies to those in the shielded group.

“We are working with the Government to try and understand how the support system for the shielded group can work best and be improved upon, including the need for better data about shielding the clinically vulnerable.

“This will help ensure those who need assistance get the help they need.

“Councils are already showing leadership and establishing local arrangements to support vulnerable residents outside this group, who are struggling to access food and support due to their isolation or because of hardship.

“They need the Government’s support in accessing supermarket delivery and collection slots for these people, or to be better able to access NHS Volunteer Responders to assist in shopping for non-shielded vulnerable individuals.”

Which? calls for urgent government action to help vulnerable households access food