PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Bus worker safety during the covid-19 outbreak: Control measures and enforcement (10 December 2020)

That this House commends the dedication of the UK’s bus workers who have kept services running throughout the pandemic for other key workers and essential travellers; notes that tragically, a number of bus workers have died from Covid-19; further notes that Government's covid-19 support for bus operators in England since March 2020 totals at least £600 million; believes it is vital that there is a consistent approach to bus worker health and safety across the industry; understands that bus workers have concerns regarding cash handling and the lack of enforcement of social distancing and face coverings on buses; notes that on the rail network, British Transport Police are patrolling services to ensure compliance with face coverings; supports the RMT union’s calls for the police, industry and government to put robust plans in place to ensure that compliance with face coverings on buses is also enforced; and calls on the Government to ensure there is a consistent industry-wide approach to these issues, publish any evidence it has regarding the potential risks associated with cash handling and covid-19 transmission and set out how social distancing and the wearing of face coverings will be enforced on buses, and by whom.

Sponsored by:
Nadia Whittome (Labour)