Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Job Support Scheme

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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The job retention scheme protected over 9 million jobs.
  • The job support scheme replacing it starts on 1 November.
  • The Chancellor aims to protect, save, and create jobs through various schemes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Naseem Shah Lab Bradford West
Employment
Context

N/A - Directly asks about the Job Support Scheme without additional context.

Question

What proportion of jobs his Department estimates will be supported through the Government's Job Support Scheme.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Over the course of the coronavirus job retention scheme, more than 9 million jobs were protected through the furlough scheme. The job support scheme that replaces it will come into force on 1 November. Of course, it is impossible to predict today how many people will benefit. That will depend on the exact path of the virus and the restrictions in place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide an estimate or proportion as requested

How: It Is Impossible To Predict

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Q2 Zarah Sultana Your Party Coventry South
Employment
Context

Since March, unemployment has doubled in Coventry South and a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research found that only 10% of at-risk jobs will be saved by the Job Support Scheme.

Question

Unemployment has doubled in Coventry South since March. The Government's job support scheme is inadequate as it will save only 10% of 2 million at-risk jobs and two thirds of wages for low-paid workers is not enough when required to close. Is the Chancellor happy with 1.8 million job losses? Could he live on two thirds of minimum wage?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

The job support scheme was warmly welcomed by business groups and trade unions; jobs are a priority, but we cannot protect every single job. We aim to protect, save, and create as many jobs as possible through various schemes such as the kickstart scheme for young people.

Not addressed: Did not address whether he is happy with potential job losses or adequacy of support

How: Warmly Welcomed, Cannot Protect Every Single Job

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Q3 Naseem Shah Lab Bradford West
Employment Children & Families
Context

Report by WPI Strategy ranked Bradford West third for need to be levelled up and has the highest rise in child poverty rate. Unemployment is also high.

Question

With high unemployment, child poverty rates, and under local restrictions for almost three months, does the Chancellor feel that Bradford West can afford any more job losses and needs targeted support?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

In Bradford and elsewhere, we do not want to see job losses but many people have already lost their jobs. The comprehensive plan for jobs aims to protect, support, and create jobs in every part of the UK through schemes like kickstart.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm need for targeted support or stance on further job losses

How: Do Not Want To See Job Losses, Comprehensive Plan

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