Coronavirus: Employment Support

Announced that the Government will do whatever it takes to support the economy and protect people's jobs and incomes through the crisis. Mentioned a package of measures including loans, tax relief, and job support initiatives.

Emphasised the urgent need for immediate government intervention to prevent businesses from laying off workers and protect jobs and incomes. Proposed a direct wage payment scheme by HMRC as an immediate solution.

Acknowledged the urgency of considering all options, including models in other countries like Denmark and Austria, to ensure effective job support measures are implemented quickly.

Asked why comprehensive job protection plans were announced by Denmark and New Zealand earlier than the UK. Inquired about the feasibility of government wage subsidies and additional support for freelancers, highlighting the need for urgent action.

Confirmed that the Government is examining various models from different countries to ensure effective job support measures are implemented. Mentioned extending business interruption loans and expecting businesses to use them to support employees.

Suggested using existing levers in the universal credit system, such as lowering taper rates, increasing benefit rates, and reducing waiting times, to provide immediate financial support to those affected by job losses.

Welcomed the Chancellor's support for business but expressed concern over sole traders, freelancers and self-employed people. Called for an emergency universal basic income, extension of statutory sick pay to low earners, introduction of a statutory retention scheme, and increase in out-of-work support rates.

Responded to the SNP MP's points about access to statutory sick pay, universal credit changes, freelancer support, and the possibility of a universal basic income. Emphasised targeting support at the most vulnerable.

Asked for further details on how the Government will support freelancers and the self-employed.

Provided updates on changes to employment support allowance, sick pay eligibility, and funds released to local authorities for hardship relief. Noted that advice on this would be given tomorrow by a relevant Ministry.

Agreed with previous proposals and suggested making universal credit advances non-repayable for those affected by the crisis. Asked about the minimum income floor suspension and employment support package details.

Responded to Labour MP's points about consequential effects on employees, emphasising that measures are being worked on urgently but there is no specific date for further announcements.

Complimented the Minister for raising urgent issues and endorsed previous suggestions. Urged the Government to provide more assurance that help will come soon, highlighting widespread concern among constituents.

Acknowledged concerns expressed by Members but emphasised the need to ensure announced measures are effective and can be implemented properly.

Called for more decisive action from the Government, suggesting that caution is not appropriate in these circumstances and questioned why good ideas cannot just be implemented immediately.

Responded to Labour MP's frustration by stressing the importance of making sure measures are effective before implementation.

Suggested suspending national insurance contributions for hospitality and hotel chains, citing concerns from local businesses.

Acknowledged the suggestion about national insurance contributions and said it was being carefully considered.

Questioned why urgent measures are taking so long to be implemented, expressing concern that previous packages may not be sufficient for all affected groups.

Acknowledged ongoing work across Government Departments and provided updates on recent measures such as renter relief and mortgage relief schemes.

Expressed concern about businesses' difficulty in accessing government loans due to security restrictions. Suggested supporting payroll costs directly as other European Governments are doing.

Responded to the suggestion of direct support for payroll costs, noting ongoing work with banks to ensure loan accessibility and criteria based on business solvency before the crisis.

A constituent in a residential home is uncertain about whether she qualifies as a key worker and how to balance work and childcare, especially with her son's respiratory problems. She does not know if she will be paid or entitled to statutory sick pay if unable to come into work.

Acknowledges concerns raised by the hon. Lady and states that further advice on key workers and support will be given today by the Cabinet Office. Promises to ensure her point gets to the relevant department after the session.

Asks the Minister to immediately consider implementing suggestions made by his right hon. Friend, reflecting views of many constituents.

Critiques the Government for giving advice to customers but not those in the hospitality industry and suggests using HMRC systems to provide financial support directly.

Asks about tax incentives or support for self-employed individuals, particularly during April which ends the financial year.

Concerned about charities like Faith in Families not being able to pay staff wages and deliver projects. Asks for government support for these organisations.

Calls for urgent support for British tourism, including consideration of providing salaries immediately rather than benefits claims to retain skills needed for economic recovery.

Expresses frustration with the lack of clarity on how laid-off workers will be paid, urging immediate action before more layoffs occur in coming weeks.

Proposes guaranteeing loans to outlets like pubs and restaurants if they continue paying staff who then become part of a volunteer force for the vulnerable during crisis.

Asks for extension of statutory sick pay at real living wage rate immediately to support all workers affected by the measures.

Urges quick implementation of good ideas raised in the Chamber, especially those from senior colleagues, highlighting the need for an effective solution.

Requests assurances that fixed-price dental costs will be covered so dentists can close and provide only urgent care to prevent coronavirus spread.

Suggests deploying resilience and contingency call centres from private sector banks for rapid handling of desperate immediate-need calls from businesses and individuals during the crisis.

Responded to concerns about bank resilience and promised further announcements addressing the issues raised by other MPs.

Expressed concern for constituents without access to public funds, freelancers, and small business owners who have not been helped by government packages. Requested more information on future policy direction.

Supported the universal employment retention package idea and highlighted issues with the rateable value threshold for tourism employers and lack of clarity in application processes.

Critiqued existing measures, stating that allowing people to fall into rent or mortgage arrears and businesses to take on debt are not viable solutions. Urged the Chancellor to provide immediate support.

Raised concerns about the speed of government response and suggested that business interruption loans may be too cumbersome for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Proposed a universal minimum income guarantee to provide certainty during uncertain times.

Called for a VAT rebate for businesses and clarification on whether pubs are open or closed, highlighting the distress caused by uncertainty.

Highlighted individual cases of freelancers losing their livelihoods due to current measures not being sufficient. Urged faster implementation of existing schemes.

Urged the government to consider the unique needs of micro-businesses in Buckinghamshire and across the country.

Asked for specific support measures for farmers, crofters, and fishers who are critical for food production but struggling due to the pandemic.

Expressed a lack of confidence in government measures and called for universal income support based on comments from Conservative MPs. Noted economic impacts, such as a 5% drop in sterling.

Asked the Minister to assure that measures will support self-employed individuals, sole traders, and freelancers who may have lost work due to economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

Raised concerns about childminders and childcare providers facing difficulties with insurance companies not providing cover for closures related to the pandemic despite having business relief insurance.

Expressed frustration towards Treasury Ministers, particularly the Chancellor, for failing to empathise with those struggling during the crisis. Advocated for simpler solutions like wage guarantees for freelancers and self-employed individuals.

Critiqued the announced measures as inadequate for small businesses, highlighting issues such as unavailability of secured loans and grants up to £25,000.

Asked about support available for individuals who use registered childminders but are unable to pay fees due to being self-employed with no income.

Suggested that the economic response is undermining public health by causing job losses which lead to fear of economic hardship, spreading the virus further. Demanded an immediate income guarantee for everyone.

Inquired about support available for local events and markets that may suffer significant financial loss due to cancellation as a result of the pandemic.

Called on the Minister to take suggestions back to the Treasury immediately, emphasising cross-party agreement on the urgency of action.

Stressed that loans are not sufficient for businesses and employees; instead, grants are needed to provide incomes for those unable to work due to no fault of their own.

Reported the first confirmed coronavirus death in Northern Ireland and enquired about support available for employees on zero-hours contracts who have lost work due to the pandemic.