Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Financial Support

Wednesday 14 October 2020 · 6 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jessica Morden asked about financial support for those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in Wales, and the Minister stated he had recent discussions with the Chancellor leading to additional funding.
  • Tonia Antoniazzi inquired about advocating for independent hospitality businesses under the job support scheme, to which the Minister responded with information on existing financial contributions to support businesses.
  • Hywel Williams suggested publishing a regular table of the Government's COVID funding amounts for Wales, and the Minister agreed to consider this proposal.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Economy Wales Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about Welsh constituents affected by the pandemic and seeks details on recent discussions with the Chancellor.

Question

I am concerned about people in Wales affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. What recent discussions has he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on financial support for those impacted?

Answer from Simon Hart

I have regular discussions with the Chancellor, and we spoke only last week. He has since announced a significant package of further job support and an additional £400 million of funding for the Welsh Government.

Answered
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Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights the importance of tourism in Gower and raises concerns about a constituent's business struggling due to limitations on the job support scheme.

Question

My constituent Lara Joslin runs the Kings Head pub in Llangennith, which is vital for local employment. The job support scheme fails to adequately support independent hospitality businesses like hers. Why is he not advocating more forcefully with the Treasury?

Answer from Simon Hart

The hon. Lady and I have a similar dependence on tourism in our constituencies, so I understand absolutely the argument she makes about its value, but I remind her that so far UK taxpayers have contributed £1.1 billion by way of bounce back loans; £490 million in self-employed income support; £303 million in coronavirus business interruption loans; £30 million-worth of eat out to help out; future funding of £7 million—I would carry on, Mr Speaker, if only you would let me—and that is not to mention the 401,000 employees on furlough.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State provided a list of financial support measures but did not directly address why he was not advocating more forcefully for independent hospitality businesses.

How: Not Addressing The Specific Ask

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Q3 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of wage cuts under the new job support scheme on low-income families and asks if Wales Office Ministers will fight to improve the situation.

Question

For those who can access the Government's new job support scheme but are locked out or deemed unviable, a 33% wage cut for the low-paid makes it hard to pay bills. Does he get this? Will he fight for a better scheme?

Answer from Simon Hart

Often in this questions session we have talked about the fact that there will always be those in all our constituencies who do not quite fit every single one of the intervention measures that the Chancellor has announced over the past few months. In those circumstances, of course we want to be as flexible as possible and to try to find ways, through either the intervention schemes or universal credit, to support the hardest-hit families as best we can.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State acknowledged the issue but did not commit to fighting for a better scheme directly.

How: Not Addressing The Specific Ask

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Q4 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about Welsh businesses struggling with debt due to reduced trading and fears of public confidence issues, asking for a plan to support these companies.

Question

Welsh businesses have done all they can to stay open but now face severe restrictions. Many are heavily in debt and worry about future repayments pushing them under. What plans do the Government have?

Answer from Simon Hart

I start by expressing some confusion: on the one hand, Opposition Members are articulating a Welsh Government view that the existing interventions are not strict enough, but on the other, the hon. Lady gets to her feet and says that the interventions are almost imposing undue hardship. It is quite difficult to know exactly where the Opposition stand on getting the balance right between disease control and the maintaining of a vibrant economy.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address the question but instead questioned the opposition's stance.

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about workers falling below the minimum weekly earnings threshold and not qualifying for statutory sick pay, asking if the Chancellor will extend this support.

Question

Many workers are now under the minimum weekly earnings threshold due to reduced hours. Expecting them to live off nothing for a fortnight is unacceptable. Will he urge the Chancellor to extend statutory sick pay to all workers?

Answer from Simon Hart

I know from my personal contact with the Chancellor over the past few weeks that he is looking at all these options. That is why the winter resilience measures were brought in a week or so ago, on top of all the other measures he has introduced, which recognise the very difficult situation in which so many people find themselves.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not confirm any specific action but mentioned ongoing considerations.

How: Not Addressing The Specific Ask

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Q6 Hywel Williams PC
Economy Wales
Context

The MP raises concerns about confusion regarding various COVID-19 funding measures and suggests publishing a simple table.

Question

With the haphazard announcement of various funding measures, causing some confusion, will he consider publishing a regular simple table of Government's covid funding with amounts for Wales?

Answer from Simon Hart

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point about universities. Of course, that is a devolved matter and yet hugely dependent on the Union effort. In answer to his very direct question, I can give him a very direct yes.

Answered
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