Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Self-employment Income Support Scheme.

Tuesday 26 January 2021 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mike Kane questioned the Department's steps to support newly self-employed individuals during the COVID-19 outbreak, noting exclusions from assistance despite the need.
  • Alex Norris highlighted ongoing exclusions from support schemes for constituents despite efforts to address gaps in existing support over the past year.
  • Abena Oppong-Asare asked why employees can be furloughed until April but self-employed individuals have no clarity on future support beyond the current week.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Economy Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the support provided to newly self-employed individuals, who may not qualify for existing schemes due to strict eligibility criteria.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the newly self-employed during the covid-19 outbreak. The MP notes that some of the rules and criteria have prevented people from qualifying for assistance despite their need, highlighting the importance of a wider £280 billion support package including universal credit increases, bounce back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, self-isolation payments, and other business grants.

Answer from Jesse Norman

The Government recognise that some rules have prevented people from qualifying. The Treasury is doing everything it can to protect jobs, families and livelihoods. We have spent considerable time engaging with groups to address potential gaps in support, including meetings in December and evaluations throughout the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for newly self-employed individuals not detailed

How: The Treasury Is Doing Everything It Can

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Q2 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Economy Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

A year after initial support schemes were introduced, some constituents remain excluded from financial assistance. The MP asks what message the Minister has for these individuals.

Question

Many of my constituents are among the millions who have been excluded from support schemes so far. As we approach that anniversary, what message does the Minister have for them? The MP highlights ongoing exclusions despite a year's worth of efforts to address gaps in existing support schemes.

Answer from Jesse Norman

The Treasury is doing everything it can to protect jobs, families and livelihoods. We are heavily leaning into this issue through extensive engagement with various groups over the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific message for excluded individuals not provided

How: The Treasury Is Doing Everything It Can

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Q3 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent, Teresa McGeough, a newly self-employed special educational needs expert, has not been eligible for any financial assistance during the pandemic. The MP raises this case to question whether enough is being done.

Question

I want to raise the case of my constituent, Teresa McGeough, who is a newly self-employed special educational needs expert and has not been eligible for any financial assistance during the pandemic. Does the Minister think that the Government are doing enough to help people such as Theresa and others?

Answer from Jesse Norman

As I have said, the Government are doing everything they can and have been working round the clock for a year to address the full needs of the country across all aspects of our economy and society.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions for newly self-employed individuals not detailed

How: The Government Are Doing Everything They Can

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Q4 Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead
Economy Taxation Employment
Context

The third grant for the self-employment income support scheme closes this Friday. Employees can be furloughed until 30 April, but no clarity is provided on future support beyond this week.

Question

Will the Minister explain why he thinks it is right that employees can be furloughed until 30 April but self-employed people have no clarity about the future of support beyond the end of this week? The MP notes that the Chancellor has not provided many details on the scheme's future.

Answer from Jesse Norman

It is well-understood that the Chancellor will be setting out further plans in the March Budget. It is normal for this time of year for different decisions to be consolidated into that important fiscal event.

Not addressed: No explanation given for lack of clarity on support beyond the scheme's closure date

How: It Is Well-Understood, Normal For This Time Of Year

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