Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Job Retention

Tuesday 9 March 2021 · 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 OBR forecast unemployment to peak at 6.5% due to policy interventions, down from an earlier prediction of just under 12%.
  • The Chancellor extended the furlough scheme until September to give businesses vital breathing space to reopen safely.
  • The Chancellor urged caution regarding interpretations of SAGE adviser comments and stated that all steps were taken following scientific advice.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gary Sambrook
Economy Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on employment and seeks information on government measures to support job retention.

Question

What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support job retention during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

In July last year, the OBR forecast unemployment to peak at around just under 12%. Now, because of policy development, it has forecast a much lower peak of 6.5%, meaning 1.8 million fewer people who are expected to lose their jobs. Whether it is through interventions such as the furlough scheme, we remain committed to protecting, supporting and creating jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details on fiscal steps but mentions commitment to job protection.

How: We Remain Committed

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Q2 Gary Sambrook
Employment
Context

The MP acknowledges the impact of the furlough scheme on job retention and seeks confirmation on its extension until September.

Question

The furlough scheme has helped to protect 11.2 million jobs across the UK, including nearly 6,000 jobs in my Birmingham, Northfield constituency, so I take this opportunity to thank the Chancellor for the extension until September. Does he agree that this will give businesses the vital breathing space needed to be able to plan as we go along the Prime Minister's road map?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of protecting jobs. The extension of the furlough scheme on generous terms beyond the end of the road map is designed to give his local businesses and others the reassurance that they need to reopen safely and confidently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids specifying whether it provides necessary support for business planning but reiterates commitment to job protection.

How: Designed To Give His Local Businesses

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Q3 Bridget Phillipson Lab Houghton and Sunderland South
NHS Economy
Context

The MP references a SAGE adviser's comment suggesting that the Chancellor was responsible for worse outcomes by not following scientific advice.

Question

A SAGE—Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies —adviser is reported to have said: “I thought the chancellor was in charge. He was the main person who was responsible for the second wave.” Does the Chancellor accept that his refusal to follow the science by pitting public health against the economy led to worse outcomes for both?

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I urge the hon. Lady to be a little bit careful about what she reads in the newspaper. At all steps in this crisis, we have indeed taken the advice of our scientific advisers. Let us go back to September, which I think is what she is referring to. At that time—as she knows from the SAGE minutes herself, rather than unsourced quotes in newspapers—the evidence was finely balanced and there were many things for Ministers to consider.

Not addressed: The answer does not address the specific question about negative outcomes but instead criticises the source of the statement.

How: I Urge The Hon. Lady To Be A Little Bit Careful

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