Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Tuesday 15 September 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The coronavirus job retention scheme has protected 9.6 million jobs and supported 1.2 million businesses with a total value of 35.4 billion as of 16 August.
  • The 2 billion kickstart scheme has the potential to support more than 250,000 young people.
  • The Chief Secretary to the Treasury responded that the Labour shadow Chancellor had previously claimed credit for the design of the furlough scheme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about the financial support provided to employees by businesses under the coronavirus job retention scheme.

Question

What estimate has been made of the level of financial support that has been provided to employees by businesses under the coronavirus job retention scheme?

Answer from Steve Barclay

As of 16 August, 9.6 million jobs have been protected by the coronavirus job retention scheme, helping 1.2 million businesses with a total value of £35.4 billion.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about the transition from financial support to job creation under the kickstart scheme.

Question

Thousands of jobs in my constituency have been protected by the Government, but constituents are aware that such levels of taxpayer support cannot go on indefinitely and want new jobs being created. How many jobs will be supported through the kickstart scheme?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The £2 billion kickstart scheme has the potential to support more than 250,000 young people and is part of a comprehensive package of £30 billion of support as set out by my right hon. Friend in his plan for jobs.

Answered
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Q3 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Economy Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about the withdrawal of financial support for jobs as infection rates rise again.

Question

Despite warnings from Labour, the Government are pulling away the job retention scheme at a time when infections are rising. Businesses and unions have said it: one-size-fits-all withdrawal risks a jobs crisis this autumn. Will the Minister listen and change course?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The hon. Lady is simply wrong. My right hon. Friend has put in place a furlough bonus as support that goes beyond October, retaining the link for employees to come back. This is part of a wider package of measures alongside the furlough.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific ask was not directly addressed

How: Simply Wrong

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Q4 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
Employment
Context

The MP is concerned that the jobs retention bonus risks giving all money to companies that do not need it.

Question

Chief Secretary knows full well that the jobs retention bonus risks giving all the money to companies that simply do not need it. We would support a targeted, flexible wage support scheme for hard-hit sectors. Can he accept that the situation has changed and must change course?

Answer from Steve Barclay

There seems to be some confusion because, just last week in debate, the shadow Chancellor recognised that the Chancellor had indeed listened with regard to the design of the furlough. In fact, they claimed credit for the role of trade unions and others.

How: Confusion, Last Week In Debate

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