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Lockdown: Economic Support
03 November 2020
Lead MP
Steve Barclay
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 50
At a Glance
Steve Barclay raised concerns about lockdown: economic support in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced new measures to tackle coronavirus. The statement includes details about the timing and nature of the lockdown, emphasising that an earlier national lockdown was not deemed appropriate due to regional differences in virus spread. The deputy chief medical officer confirmed that an early national lockdown would have caused disproportionate economic damage in regions where the virus path was slower. Furlough support continued until the end of October and has been extended. Additionally, the kickstart scheme for job training is now operational, and the Government has committed to listening and adapting as necessary based on the virus's pathway.
Anneliese Dodds
Lab Co-op
Oxford East
Question
The circuit breaker proposed by Labour three weeks ago would have been shorter and more effective, with less economic damage. The shadow spokesperson questioned the government’s approach to furlough support and regional disparities in virus spread. She emphasised the need for a clear plan for economic support, especially for scenarios like extended lockdowns or regional restrictions.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by pointing out that an earlier national lockdown would have caused disproportionate economic damage due to slow virus growth in certain areas. He also clarified that furlough continued without gaps across the UK and mentioned the kickstart scheme's launch to support job training. The Government plans to adapt measures based on the virus’s pathway.
Mel Stride
Con
Central Devon
Question
Welcoming new measures for jobs and increased self-employment income support, Stride asked about updates on whether individuals identified in the Treasury Committee report as missing out on support would now receive it. He specifically questioned if those earning above £50,000 or company directors would be included.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged that some individuals were excluded due to HMRC notification cutoffs but noted that furlough extension will cover many. Over £30 billion in support has been provided for the self-employed, with distinctions made between those earning above £50,000 and company directors regarding dividend income versus earned income.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Cheetham Hill
Question
The UK Government continue to lurch around in absolute chaos, with a Prime Minister forced, due to the leak of his plans, to announce an English lockdown and the extension of furlough just before it was due to expire. It is no comfort either to those who continue to be ignored or excluded from initial support schemes. Will the Chief Secretary ensure that they do not lose out again?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady's grievances are somewhat surprising and disappointing when considering the unprecedented support provided, including a £7.2 billion Barnett guarantee for Scotland. The UK-wide schemes such as furlough have always been available to all parts of the United Kingdom.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Question
As we have just seen, uncertainty in Scotland is a basis for grievance for the SNP. Will my right hon. Friend clarify that should scientific evidence demand further lockdowns in Scotland, the furlough scheme at 80% will be available to protect jobs?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is correct, and it is true that through our ability to act on a UK basis we have been able to offer unprecedented support including extending the furlough scheme.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
Even if the Government will not reverse their decision against extending free school meals into holidays, will they extend free school meals for all families in receipt of universal credit as recommended by Action for Children?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises a serious issue and while it is important to look at the package as a whole, we have put in an additional £9 billion of welfare support including the £20 uplift on universal credit.
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that our Government's economic support package is one of the most comprehensive and generous anywhere in the world, worth more than £200 billion, praised by the IMF for holding down unemployment?
Minister reply
I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend for pointing out that the UK’s economic support package is indeed one of the best examples of coordinated action globally.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gower
Question
Yesterday, the Prime Minister said funding would be available for furlough in devolved nations but this morning, Housing Secretary suggested it was a matter for the Chancellor. Will the Minister confirm today exactly what the situation is?
Minister reply
We have already extended the furlough scheme for the rest of this month and we will always be there for all parts of the United Kingdom.
Siobhan Baillie
Con
Stroud
Question
Will my right hon. Friend commit to looking at the wedding and events industries again to see what support can be made available?
Minister reply
I am always very happy to meet my hon. Friend and point her to the £1.1 billion of additional funding allocated to councils for business support.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
Will the Chief Secretary please urge the Chancellor to extend furlough through to spring and can he give us a simple, one-word answer? Is furlough going to be available to devolved nations?
Minister reply
Employees notified by real-time information submission to HMRC on or before 30 October are eligible for the furlough extension.
John Redwood
Con
Wokingham
Question
I am glad that the Government agree that where, by law, they stop people working and earning a living, they should compensate them. Will the Government look again at the terms of the scheme for the self-employed—there are restrictions on several categories of self-employed who have no other means of earning their living and no large company support—and be more generous? Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need all those self-employed people to be ready to return to work to get some kind of recovery going soon, because the economy is in deep trouble?
Minister reply
I agree with my right hon. Friend that we need to ensure that the economy bounces back quickly. We have provided over £13 billion of support to the self-employed and while there are operational difficulties, such as determining what constitutes dividend income versus earned income, our scheme remains generous by international standards.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
The latest ill-advised lockdown is going to present an enormous burden for the economy in terms of lost tax revenue and reduced GDP. It is right that since the economic pain is being imposed by the Government, those affected should be compensated. I welcome the Chief Secretary’s assurance that the furlough scheme will apply across the whole United Kingdom. Can he tell us what Barnett consequentials will be received by Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for the business support grant announced in this package?
Minister reply
The right hon Gentleman raises a valid point. The additional Barnett guarantee will be given an up-front guarantee, and I hope to give an update on that later this week.
Adam Afriyie
Con
Windsor
Question
My heart is breaking for the once-thriving businesses across my constituency. Many cannot become online businesses overnight. How do the Government intend to protect retail businesses that are forced to close from increasing dominance of online retailers, which often benefit from lower business rates and taxes than their terrestrial partners?
Minister reply
My hon Friend highlights the devastating impact on businesses due to the virus's consequences. The government has provided support such as loans for cash flow management and up to £3,000 a month grants for those with rateable values above £51,000.
Peter Kyle
Lab
Hove and Portslade
Question
Any additional investment to help the self-employed is welcome but I ask the Chief Secretary to look at eligibility criteria that have not changed from previous periods which will exclude many self-employed people.
Minister reply
We have looked at the matter, but some issues remain unresolved such as determining what constitutes dividend income versus earned income. The Treasury Committee has suggested we be more willing to bring certain cohorts of self-employed into scope, yet concerns about fraud risk lead us to maintain strict operational controls.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
Self-employed people who have created a limited company and draw dividends are being prevented by the Government from trading. Rather than just outlining difficulties, will the Chief Secretary commit to finding a way around this?
Minister reply
For operational reasons we take the position that while there will be many legitimate circumstances for claims, unfortunately there is also significant risk of fraud.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Question
Since previous lockdown was lifted, two leisure centres in my constituency have not reopened. Both facilities were outsourced by council due to lack of funding to local authorities. What will be done to ensure that such essential services do not face permanent closure?
Minister reply
The hon Lady highlights the pivotal nature of leisure centres in constituencies and draws attention to £4.7 billion additional funding given to local authorities for discretion on how to apply it.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
I would like to welcome the unprecedented innovative package of support the Chancellor has put in place, which has undoubtedly helped businesses and families. What more can my right hon Friend do to support the coach tourism sector specifically?
Minister reply
The coach firms sector has been impacted due to covid. We have provided over £70 million funding for local transport benefitting many including coach firms as part of the wider package.
Patricia Gibson
Lab
Glasgow North East
Question
Asks the Chief Secretary to apologise for confusion around furlough support in Scotland and requests a meeting with the Scottish Finance Secretary.
Minister reply
States that meetings have been held with the First Minister of Scotland who has also spoken with the authority of the Scottish Finance Minister. Emphasises constructive dialogue and ongoing discussions.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
Raises concern about pubs being unable to sell takeaway beer during lockdown, despite food sales being allowed.
Minister reply
Notes the question regarding epidemiology and guidance, which is for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Acknowledges the economic impact and ongoing dialogue with health department.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Question
Queries whether furlough support will be available to Wales if restrictions are reintroduced.
Minister reply
Reiterates the Prime Minister's statement about providing UK-wide support and highlights the effectiveness of UK-wide schemes such as the furlough scheme.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
Asks for measures to help jobseekers and retraining opportunities in light of expected future job losses.
Minister reply
Commits £2 billion towards the kickstart scheme, aimed at supporting 16 to 24-year-olds. Also mentions tripling traineeships and apprenticeship funding.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Requests scrapping of business rates link and rateable value cap for the new grant scheme in hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.
Minister reply
Defends targeting support based on property's rateable value but grants local authorities discretion to meet local needs within £1.1 billion allocation.
Craig Whittaker
Con
Calder Valley
Question
Highlights plight of businesses in supply chains who have suffered without direct support.
Minister reply
Acknowledges challenges faced by supply chain businesses, reassures that universal schemes provide support for cash flow and labour market.
Ian Mearns
Lab
Gateshead
Question
Asks for comprehensive financial support package for businesses in areas needing continued restrictions after 2 December.
Minister reply
Reiterates additional support provided to certain regions and states that further measures were necessary due to the health pandemic's progression.
Robert Largan
Con
Wellingborough
Question
Inquires about possibility of top-ups for bounce back loans for businesses facing prolonged disruption.
Minister reply
Reassures that businesses can apply for loan extensions through the end of the year to support them during difficult winter.
Tracy Brabin
Lab
Question
The Minister explained that the response when he spoke to northern Mayors was about health data and not about regions, but he must accept that, by callously saying to workers in West Yorkshire and the north that they are on two thirds of pay, the Government have created a north-south divide. That divide is unnecessary when we should be coming together as a country to deal with this pandemic. Will he ask the Chancellor for clarity about the restrictions and for confirmation that, when we come out of this national lockdown, no worker will be expected to earn two thirds of their pay, so that workers in low-paid jobs are not living in fear when they look ahead to Christmas with no money in the bank?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is conflating several different issues. First, the furlough had not expired; it was running until the end of October. It applied universally until that point, so the suggestion of it being applied differently is simply not the case. Secondly, the purpose and the design of the job support scheme is different from the furlough. The furlough is a response to the need for people to stay at home. The job support scheme is intended to try to encourage them back. That is why the design is for at least 20% of hours—one day in the office. Thirdly, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has set out on a number of occasions, the two-thirds support is dynamic in its interaction with the wider support through the £9 billion of additional welfare spending.
Stephen Hammond
Con
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend and the team for the package of support, which will save jobs and livelihoods across Wimbledon. He will know that since March, I have been raising the plight of people who are excluded from the scheme because they have been forced to close their businesses, so I support a number of the comments made about the self-employed. May I raise yet again with him industries such as events, exhibitions and hospitality supply, which are all excluded from the business rates scheme and the business grants scheme? They need that support if we are to have those vibrant contributors to the economy in the future.
Minister reply
I am aware of the concerns that my hon. Friend has raised. I point him to the fact that, to date, the Treasury has spent more than £200 billion as part of our comprehensive package of support. We have applied a universal approach in terms of the furlough, loans, business grants and so forth, but I am happy to have further discussions with him in the weeks ahead.
Martin Docherty
Lab
Question
While welcoming the news that the support will return to 80%, many people here in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland regret the fact that this decision has been made at the last minute, when many have already made life-changing decisions in anticipation of the rate being reduced. To give those whom we will rely on to rebuild our economy some degree of certainty, will the Minister commit the Government to fill the gaps in the scheme so that freelancers and creatives—the excluded—can start to grow the companies of tomorrow?
Minister reply
I draw the hon. Gentleman’s attention to the future fund, which has provided additional support. On the timing of the furlough extension, I refer him to the answer I gave earlier. Those who have lost their jobs recently could come back through the furlough extension. Those employees employed as of 23 September—the day of the job support scheme announcement—and notified to HMRC by real-time information on or before that date who have since been made redundant can be rehired.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I welcome the extension to the coronavirus loan schemes and the ability to top up bounce back loans. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that that ability to top up loans also applies to the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme? Will he also look at bounce back loans for customers of non-bank lenders? According to research by the all-party parliamentary group on fair business banking, which I chair, around 250,000 businesses currently bank with non-bank lenders who do not have access to these schemes because they do not get access to the Bank of England term funding scheme. Will he look at that problem?
Minister reply
I can probably go one better than looking at it myself, because the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, who leads on these matters in the Treasury, will have heard my hon. Friend’s representations and will do so. I know that he is looking at the issue of the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme specifically. On my hon. Friend’s second point, I think that there are 28 creditors, but I know that my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury will follow up with him.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
The Chief Secretary will be aware that many businesses feel that the Government have acted arbitrarily in imposing restrictions on their sectors, and none more so than the hospitality and pub sector, with the 10 pm curfew. During the first lockdown, local independent brewers such as Slaughterhouse and Church Farm in my constituency, and also the independent pubs that they serve, such as the Somerville Arms and the Old Post Office, were able to sell takeaway alcohol, but that has now been banned by the Government. That will damage the sector dramatically. What has the Chancellor got against pubs?
Minister reply
Not least through the eat out to help out scheme, one can see the Chancellor’s support to this sector. Also, VAT was cut from 20% to 5%, and many within the sector have benefited, particularly from the wider universal package of schemes such as the furlough scheme. The exact health advice, as I said to my right hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Southampton North (Caroline Nokes), is a matter for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. I will relay the hon. Gentleman’s concerns to him, but this is driven by the epidemiology and the health data; it is not a question of the Treasury acting arbitrarily, as he says.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
The Government’s financial support has included the very welcome £200 million for hospices. However, the Norfolk Hospice in my constituency has warned that the national restrictions and the closure of charity shops will result in a loss of income of £100,000, so will my right hon. Friend ensure that when the Care Minister meets the sector tomorrow, a package of urgent support can be put in place for hospices, their patients and their families?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises an issue that unites the House. The huge value of the work done by the hospice movement was recognised as part of the package of measures put in place by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, with £750 million of support for the charity sector and with the hospice movement being specifically identified. I am happy to continue working with my hon. Friend as we work together, and we recognise the importance of that sector.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
Many small business owners have been forced to raid their personal savings to keep their businesses afloat over the past eight months, but that is not a bottomless pit. Many small business owners are not wealthy people, and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury must understand that if they go under, the whole company goes with them. The Treasury has now had eight months to get this scheme working. Why is it still excluding 3 million people? Does he not recognise how perilous the situation is for many of those businesses?
Minister reply
I drew attention earlier to the fact that more than £13 billion had been allocated to the self-employed income support scheme and through the income support grant. That indicates the support that the Treasury has given. The hon. Gentleman draws out, as the Chair of the Treasury Committee did, the specific issues around company directors. I have set out to the House the difficulty of clarifying precisely what is earned income as opposed to dividend income, but it is worth drawing the House’s attention to the fact that more than £13 billion of support has been allocated.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Before lockdown 2, more than 2,000 jobs based at Manchester Airport were reported to be at risk. The Government have provided business rates relief to thousands of retail businesses, including £700 million to the likes of Tesco, which have seen huge increases in profits throughout lockdown. Will the Government now step in to relieve 2020-21 airport business rates, following the introduction of a new travel ban, by funding the difference to local councils?
Minister reply
As I mentioned earlier, within the £1.1 billion of support to local authorities, we have given them discretion to respond to local needs, and that includes Greater Manchester as a region. On the airport sector specifically, one reason why we have allocated more than £12 billion to test and trace is that one of the key issues, as I was told by that sector, is the importance of travellers being able to be tested quickly and released sooner than has been the case in recent weeks. We are working extremely hard on that issue, because that is one of the key measures, alongside the financial support to local authorities, that would make a real difference to the airport sector.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Question
I very much welcome the commitment that we heard yesterday from the Prime Minister that the furlough scheme will extend to Scotland whenever it is needed. Can the Chief Secretary to the Treasury confirm that the self-employment support scheme will also extend to my constituents in Scotland, ensuring that self-employed people are not left behind?
Minister reply
As I said earlier, these are UK-wide schemes. We continue to listen and engage, but the schemes apply on a UK-wide basis. That has been the case throughout, and that continues to be the case now.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Question
I am sure that we have all heard heartbreaking stories about people who have been unable to claim for self-employment support because they had not registered or submitted a tax return for 2018-19. It seems that those people are still excluded from any support. Some of them have been trading for 18 months now. They are clearly not fraudulent and they clearly deserve some support; why cannot they get some?
Minister reply
As we referred to earlier, the point is that the package of support includes the £9 billion of welfare measures and the support that is available through local authorities and targeted at their discretion. I have also set out that there are those within that excluded population, for example those who were employed, who may be able to qualify for the extension, but for the reasons that we have covered in a number of earlier replies, part of the challenge from the Public Accounts Committee has been ensuring that we have the right operational controls in place, and that has been one of the difficulties with the cohorts to which the hon. Gentleman refers.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
The Government’s bounce back and business interruption loan schemes have made a huge difference across the country, including the £90 million to support businesses in Rutland and Melton. What assessment has the Chief Secretary made regarding the macroeconomic impact of these loan schemes?
Minister reply
I very much welcome the impact that the various support measures have had on Rutland and on the businesses in my hon. Friend’s area. As for the impact of the various measures, the Office for Budget Responsibility produces an independent assessment of that, and it will do so on 25 November. That will provide an updated position, addressing the impacts to which she refers.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
Question
While this week the Government have extended the mortgage holiday for homeowners, they have refused to help tenants, pay their rent or stop them facing evictions, even if they have lost their job or been placed on furlough. How exactly does the Minister think that that is fair, and will he instead commit to helping renters in Coventry South by immediately putting a stop to all eviction proceedings, reintroducing the evictions ban and cancelling rent arrears for all tenants?
Minister reply
There is, of course, a balance to be struck between the interests of those who are renting and those who rent out properties who also have financial pressures. The hon. Lady referred to the support that has been given, but the best support that can be given to those facing such bills is to help as many of them as possible to retain their jobs, and that is fundamentally what the package of support that we have put in place seeks to achieve.
Question
Further to the points about supply chains, many manufacturers in the ceramics industry in Stoke-on-Trent very much depend on industries such as hospitality and retail, so will my right hon. Friend agree to look at what more support can be given to those industries where order books have severely diminished?
Minister reply
I recognise the point made by my hon. Friend. I have spoken about the impact on the sectors to which he refers. That is why such a comprehensive package of support has been set out, including through the job retention scheme, which will now run until 2 December; the generous support for the self-employed; the cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses; the £1.1 billion of council support; and the plans to extend the various loans, and indeed the future fund, to the end of January. This all recognises the wider pressures to which he refers.
Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Question
Unemployment here in the west midlands is soaring to a level that we last saw in the 1980s, but our Mayor has proved so ineffective that we have failed to secure 95% of what we have asked for in our recovery plan. Yesterday the International Monetary Fund’s chief economist called on Governments to bring forward large-scale investment to kickstart demand. In May, the Government set out their capital budget of £358 billion over the next five years. When are the Government going to allocate that capital budget, will the Chief Secretary maximise what is brought forward into the eye of the storm to kickstart demand for next year, and will he, for the first time, guarantee that the west midlands, at long last, will secure its fair share of that money?
Minister reply
I am slightly surprised to have a question from a former Chief Secretary that does not recognise the infrastructure investment that the Prime Minister set out in the summer and that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor updated the House on through his summer economic update, including the £2 billion going into green jobs and public sector decarbonisation, and the massive investment in High Speed 2, in road investment strategy 2, and in control period 6 through the various rail schemes that the Government have committed to. We are accelerating the delivery of that infrastructure through Project Speed.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Question
Clearly hospitality and retail have had a particularly difficult time since the spring, but, as hon. Friends have said, there are very many businesses that may not quite come under hospitality, retail or leisure but rely almost entirely on those sectors for their business. Will my right hon. Friend look at how industries such as brewing, pub supply chains, events and weddings can access the support that the Government have provided, such as through the grants and business rate holidays, so that they can protect their jobs and still be growing and thriving once this pandemic is beaten?
Minister reply
First, I refer to the answer I gave earlier about the universal nature of the package. Another such area that my hon. Friend did not mention is the fishing sector, which was particularly impacted not only through its supply of the restaurant trade but through its exports, which were also hit. We have listened to concerns there and put in some additional support. But the best way we will support businesses, whether in the wedding sector or elsewhere, is by getting the virus down. That is why we have taken the comprehensive measures that we have for the next four weeks. That is the best way to be able to open up these sectors and get the people who have been furloughed or supported through the self-employed scheme on to the job support scheme, where they will then qualify for the furlough bonus, which will be further support that is available.
Question
For all the Minister’s sweet talking, the simple fact is that nearly eight months after the first lockdown was imposed, millions of self-employed people and small businesses are still being excluded from Government support. He has spoken approvingly today of comments from a recent Public Accounts Committee report, so may I draw his attention to the Committee’s 20th report of this Session, unanimously agreed by a Committee with a Conservative majority? The report says: “The Committee is disappointed that, so long after the beginning of the pandemic, HMRC has still not made sufficient use of its data to identify small businesses which have been left out of previous support packages, and therefore maximise taxpayer eligibility for grant support.” Can the Minister not accept that the Committee’s disappointment reflects a view widely held among all parties in the House and that it is time for the excluded 3 million to be supported by actions, not just words?
Minister reply
I am somewhat surprised that the hon. Gentleman talks of actions when, as a result of our ability to operate UK-wide, we have been able to support nearly 1 million jobs in Scotland. Some 65,000 businesses in Scotland have benefited from the UK Government loan schemes and, as of 31 August, 242,600 employments were furloughed, at a take-up rate of 10%. Significant support has been offered to businesses in Scotland, as indeed it has been to businesses throughout the UK. It is odd that the hon. Gentleman talks about actions and ignores the nearly 1 million jobs that have been supported as a result of the actions that the UK Government have taken.
Question
Tourism and hospitality businesses have worked hard to get back on their feet, so although I welcome the additional support that my right hon. Friend has announced, will he do all he can to help them to welcome back visitors in the spring?
Minister reply
I absolutely support my hon. Friend in her desire to see those businesses able to bounce back, which obviously requires us to get the virus rate down. We recognise that restrictions have affected tourism and hospitality businesses in particular, which is why we have put in place additional support. We will continue to look at ways to support those industries, but the key to doing so is to reduce the rate of infection through the measures that the Prime Minister announced yesterday.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Minister for all that he has done; it is good to have the help. Yesterday, the Prime Minister assured me that aid was coming to Northern Ireland businesses whose trade is affected by the lockdown here on the mainland. Will the Minister outline what form the aid will take for suppliers who have to cease operations? We should be ever mindful of the regional differences, with the Northern Ireland circuit break and tiers 1, 2 and 3 here on the mainland. On Thursday night, there will be a total lockdown here, whereas we will come out of the circuit break next week. What help will there be for businesses in Northern Ireland whose supplies travel across the water?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right to talk about the impact on businesses in Northern Ireland and part of that coming through its interconnectivity with the rest of the United Kingdom. As I said in an earlier answer, we will update the Northern Ireland Executive this week on the enhanced Barnett guarantee, but that unprecedented action taken to give an up-front guarantee will enable the Northern Ireland Executive to provide support to businesses. Of course, it will be for them to determine the exact scope of that business support.
Peter Bone
Con
Welling
Question
Congratulations to the Chief Secretary and the Government team on their support during the pandemic. Will the Chief Secretary confirm that an economic impact assessment has been done, and when will it be published?
Minister reply
All decisions are informed by economic analysis. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will update its forecasts on 25 November.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
With 10% of charities likely to fold and a £10 billion deficit, what more will the Treasury do for the charity sector?
Minister reply
A £750 million package has been put in place as part of over £200 billion support. The Prime Minister is committed to listening and adapting as needed.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
Why does the Chancellor's team not have concerns about financial discipline when committing £12 billion to the private sector without basic procurement disciplines?
Minister reply
The Department of Health, which manages Track and Trace funding, is subject to managing public money rules in the usual way.
Derek Thomas
Con
St Ives
Question
Can the Chief Secretary look at how we can encourage small businesses to continue during the second lockdown?
Minister reply
Specific support has been put in place, and over £13 billion is allocated for self-employment income support. Additional measures include extending loans available.
Aaron Bell
Con
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Question
Could the Chief Secretary set out how the generosity of schemes compares internationally?
Minister reply
The UK package is one of the most comprehensive, as recognised by the IMF director last week.
Greenwich and Woolwich
Question
Can guidance for local authorities to distribute discretionary funding be published promptly?
Minister reply
The £20 per head approach is to ensure schemes are deployed quickly, fairly. Guidance will be published.
David Jones
Con
Clwyd West
Question
Will Welsh businesses affected by the English lockdown be able to access the furlough scheme?
Minister reply
The furlough scheme is a UK-wide scheme, providing over £200 billion of support, and it will continue to be so.
Shadow Comment
Anneliese Dodds
Shadow Comment
The shadow spokesperson criticised the government’s last-minute approach, arguing that an earlier circuit breaker would have been less damaging to jobs and businesses. She cited examples of strain on workers and businesses due to uncertainty, highlighting a need for clearer economic support plans six months in advance. Dodds questioned why the Chancellor dismissed extending furlough for self-employed individuals and asked about scenarios involving extended lockdowns or regional restrictions.
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