In the current situation and in the coming months, food couriers will play an essential role, particularly in catering both to people who are self-isolating and to other key workers such as NHS staff. They must be properly compensated for providing such a vital service, especially given the high-risk conditions in which they operate. Yet they are classified by many courier companies as self-employed and therefore deprived of any minimum wage protection, holiday pay or sick pay provision under the law. The COVID-19 outbreak is now showing how important these basic rights are to precarious workers.

I believe riders who contract coronavirus and have to self-isolate should receive full pay. While I understand some companies may be offering a weekly payment slightly above Statutory Sick Pay, this is not enough to live on and risks riders feeling they must continue to work. High risk couriers should also be allowed to self-isolate for 12 weeks on full pay. There should also be a halt on terminations throughout the crisis, since courier companies will not have the time or resources to investigate complaints fully, which could lead to riders being unfairly terminated.

It is also vital that all companies provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for riders and that couriers are tested on a regular basis to make sure they are not unknowingly spreading the virus.

Finally, I believe that as key workers operating under high risk conditions and catering to high demand, it is only reasonable for riders to be compensated with a minimum standard guarantee while working during this time. This should include a real living wage plus costs, holiday pay and sick pay.

It is vital that the Government acts to ensure the entire courier industry responds positively to the needs of delivery couriers in the current circumstances.

I can assure you that I will press the Government at every opportunity to ensure it does so.