Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fiscal Support: Job Retention and Incomes

Tuesday 20 October 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided over 200 billion in support to protect jobs, businesses, and incomes during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Treasury committed nearly 500 million to English local authorities through the tiering system, including grants of up to 3,000 per month.
  • A 2 billion kickstarter scheme alongside the job support scheme will be launched to boost prospects for young people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Economy
Context

The MP asked about the comparative effectiveness of fiscal support measures implemented in the UK and internationally for job retention and income protection during the pandemic.

Question

What comparative assessment has been made of the effectiveness of fiscal support for (a) job retention and (b) incomes during the covid-19 outbreak in the UK and internationally?

Answer from Jesse Norman

The Government have put in place more than £200 billion-worth of support to protect people's jobs, businesses and incomes. This is one of the most comprehensive economic responses anywhere in the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Comparison with other countries' fiscal measures not addressed

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Q2 Mark Logan
Economy Taxation Employment
Context

The MP asked about the adequacy of financial support provided to local authorities under tier 3 restrictions in England, referencing a proposal by his colleague for VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.

Question

Will the Treasury constantly review the financial help on offer for those faced with tier 3 restrictions and consider some of the ideas that were forthcoming from my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mary Robinson) in relation to VAT reduction for the hospitality industry?

Answer from Jesse Norman

We have committed almost £500 million of support to English local authorities through the tiering system, including grants up to £3,000 per month. We also expanded the job support scheme recently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific consideration of VAT reduction not addressed

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Q3 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Employment
Context

The MP referenced a revised OECD forecast on UK unemployment rates and asked about the winter jobs plan's adequacy for supporting the labour market during the pandemic.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that the winter jobs plan will continue to provide the right kind of support to help our flexible labour market to adapt to the pandemic?

Answer from Jesse Norman

We continue to adapt our response, and we will launch a £2 billion kickstarter scheme alongside the job support scheme soon. This will boost prospects for young people across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation on winter jobs plan not provided

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