Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Unconscionable increase in violence and abuse against frontline retail workers during Covid-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
It is unconscionable that violence and abuse towards retail workers has further increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. These are individuals who have been working on the frontline and have put their lives at risk to ensure that the public could access essential items such as food and medicine. At a time when they have most deserved our respect and gratitude they have instead faced violence and abuse. (Paragraph 36) 62 Violence and abuse towards retail workers
Government Response Summary
The government response details existing measures, including interim sentencing guidance for Covid-19 related assaults and revised guidelines with aggravating factors, published safer working guidance, and ongoing collaboration between BEIS/DEFRA and retailers to ensure Covid-19 related safety.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
In response to the pandemic, in April 2020 the Sentencing Council issued interim sentencing guidance that clarified, when sentencing common assault offences involving threats or activity relating to transmission of Covid-19, courts should treat this as an aggravating feature of the offence, meriting a more severe sentence. In addition, the Council published revised sentencing guidelines for assault offences in May 2021. As acknowledged by the HASC, the revised common assault guideline lists ‘deliberate spitting or coughing’ as an aggravating factor. The guideline also includes a new high-culpability factor of ‘intention to cause fear of serious harm, including disease transmission’, which will allow for common assault offences involving threats or activity relating to the transmission of Covid-19 to be assessed at the highest level of culpability. The Government agrees with HASC that it should work closely with retailers to ensure any continued restrictions and guidance on Covid-19 are workable and clear. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) holds responsibility for the regulations regarding the wearing of face coverings, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) worked closely with retailers and supermarkets throughout the pandemic. During the pandemic, the Government published safer working guidance that is kept under review and updated to reflect changes in Government policy. The Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance, includes specific guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments on how to make their workplaces Covid-secure for their employees, visitors and customers. BEIS officials worked with businesses to support these activities, including how to encourage the use of face coverings. The sector welcomed the engagement and support from Government departments, and retailers were able to lead the way in ensuring the safety of their customers in line with the guidance. BEIS and DEFRA will continue to work closely with retailers on any guidance needed in future.