To ask the Minister for the Economy whether his Department has considered introducing a fund to support businesses in their efforts to improve indoor ventilation, similar to the £25 million fund introduced in Scotland.

As part of the Executive’s COVID Taskforce work is underway to examine the utilisation of ventilation and fresh air in limiting the spread of COVID, as set out in the Executive’s Autumn/Winter Contingency Plan. The work of the Taskforce, which includes DfE, will require consideration of many issues, including important and complex technical aspects. That work will also explore the precise purpose, details and merits of the scheme announced in Scotland once further information on it is available from the Scottish Government.