Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Self-employed: Covid-19

Wednesday 16 September 2020 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • There are 205,000 self-employed people in Wales, of whom 110,000 are receiving direct cash grants totalling over 295 million.
  • The Government is considering multiple options including furlough extension to help people recover from the pandemic.
  • The Government aims to improve its schemes and plug gaps where self-employed individuals have fallen through the system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Economy Wales
Context

In the Rhondda, many self-employed people have not received any support from the Government's covid-19 relief measures despite facing significant financial hardship.

Question

How many self-employed people in Wales have not received support from the Government's covid-19 support schemes?

Answer from Simon Hart

There are 205,000 self-employed people in Wales. Of these, 110,000 are receiving direct cash grants totalling over £295 million through the Government's self-employment income support scheme.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

An incident involving a car crash in Trebanog, Rhondda led to a discussion about the impact of government support schemes on local businesses.

Question

In light of an accident in Trebanog earlier today, can you address the needs of self-employed individuals who have not received any assistance from government schemes and those facing severe financial hardship?

Answer from Simon Hart

I know the whole House will join me in expressing our sympathy. In relation to the schemes, I reiterate what the Chancellor has said: we will always try to look at every possible way to ensure that those who qualify for help do get it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or details not provided

How: Will Look At Individual Cases

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Q3 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Economy Employment Wales
Context

Concerns about the impact of mass unemployment and economic recovery in industrial communities.

Question

Will this Government grasp the urgency and bring forward specific measures for sectors such as aviation that need longer to recover, in order to support thousands of Welsh workers who depend on them?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Government has done everything it can to ensure the smallest possible number of people have gone without important assistance. The Treasury is considering multiple options, including furlough extension, to help people make their way out of covid and back into a functioning economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or concrete proposals not detailed

How: Multiple Options Are Under Consideration

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Q4 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Economy Employment Wales
Context

Concerns about the end of government support and its impact on employment.

Question

Will the Government accept that a one-size-fits-all approach is not working, and will they come forward with concrete proposals to safeguard jobs for people across Wales?

Answer from Simon Hart

A third of the workforce in Wales has been supported by the UK Government during the pandemic. The package includes VAT deferrals, mortgage holidays, rental support, increases in universal credit, relaxation of the minimum income floor, and VAT reductions to help people stay in work and get back to work safely.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan or concrete proposals not provided

How: Not A One-Size-Fits-All Arrangement

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Q5 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns about the 3 million people excluded from current support schemes.

Question

Will Ministers do more to help those who have fallen through the gaps, at least by addressing the five-week wait for universal credit?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Government and the Wales Office will strive to improve every one of our schemes. Where there are gaps, we will do everything possible to ensure they are plugged.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate action or specifics not provided

How: Strive To Improve And Plug Gaps

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