A full return of parliament could put MPs and staff at risk

Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Leader of the House of Comons, has today announced in the House of Commons that he is pressing on with plans for parliament to return in full from the start of June.

Parliament has been sitting hybrid form, with some parliamentarians present in the House, others participating remotely via video link.

Garry Graham, Prospect deputy general secretary, responded to the announcement:

“Trade unions representing staff in parliament offered yesterday to work with the government on a phased return to a physical parliament between now and the summer.

“It is incredibly disappointing that the government have chosen to ignore the voice of staff and impose a full return to parliament in two weeks, including physical voting, that will mean hundreds of people packed into parliament’s narrow corridors putting MPs and staff at risk.

“The government’s argument about why this is necessary falls apart under even the slightest scrutiny given the impact that social distancing will have on the ability of a physical parliament to hold the government to account.

“Following the recent harassment scandals staff were given reassurances that their well-being would be put first at all times, unfortunately the government has failed the first test of making good on that promise.”