The MHCLG have rapidly scaled up doorstep food deliveries to ensure a safety net for all those clinically extremely vulnerable that may not have wider social support and have delivered over 380,000 food packages to doorsteps.
They have shared with LAs details of those who are clinically extremely vulnerable in their area, so they can help support those individuals who need to shield.
They have shared data with supermarkets on those who have registered on the website or through the phone service and have indicated they need support with accessing essential supplies. Customers must be already registered with the supermarkets to access priority slots. Supermarkets do not have the capacity to prioritise the whole shielding cohort, and it is important we prioritise those who do not have access to support networks of family and friends. There will be other individuals that are not medically high risk but are vulnerable for other social and economic reasons. Local authorities are already doing a lot to help these people and they are best placed because they understand the needs of their communities and can build on the local networks and relationships already in place.
The MHCLG are working with sector representatives to see how we can best support local authorities in identifying at-risk groups, signposting and matching needs to services, and supporting the voluntary and community sector.