Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for the Self-Employed

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

  • Government announced continuation of the self-employment income support scheme until September
  • Government provided 407 billion in total support across the pandemic for the self-employed
  • 600,000 previously ineligible individuals may now qualify for support

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Economy Employment
Context

The MP inquired about the government's assessment of supporting self-employed individuals as public health restrictions are lifted, referencing concerns raised by a significant number without financial aid throughout the pandemic.

Question

What assessment has been made of continuing support for the self-employed as covid-19 restrictions ease? The Government may well throw these figures around, but we know that 3.8 million self-employed people have had no financial support throughout this whole pandemic. Freelancers, small companies and other people across Bolton and this country want the Chancellor to recognise the fact that his continued silence is just not good enough.

Answer from Jesse Norman

The Government have announced continuation of the self-employment income support scheme until September, with £407 billion in total support across the pandemic and engagement efforts to address eligibility issues. The Chancellor mentioned that 600,000 people previously ineligible may now be eligible, including those newly self-employed in 2019-20. In Bolton, £22.9 million worth of towns funding has been received recently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a statement on continued support was not directly addressed with new commitments or timelines

How: Bent Over Backwards To Engage, We Are Bending Over Backwards

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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP referenced the Chancellor's previous commitment to do whatever it takes to protect people, questioning why millions of self-employed individuals remain unsupported. The questioner emphasises the need for action post-pandemic.

Question

That is welcome for those who qualify for it, but a year ago it was the Chancellor who said that he would do “whatever it takes” to protect people. There are still millions of self-employed people without any support since this crisis started and they will not forget that either. It is untenable. Why will Ministers not finally act and do whatever it takes to ensure that this important sector of the economy also has the chance to succeed post the pandemic?

Answer from Jesse Norman

The Government have put in place £407 billion worth of support across the pandemic, engaging with different groups of the self-employed. Repeatedly, proposals are reviewed to bring in people not currently qualifying. As mentioned by the Chancellor, 600,000 previously ineligible individuals may now be eligible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for action was not directly addressed with new commitments or timelines

How: We Have Bent Over Backwards To Engage, We Are Bending Over Backwards

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Q3 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Business & Trade Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlights that despite figures being thrown around, there are still millions of self-employed individuals without financial support throughout the pandemic. The questioner emphasizes the need for recognition and action from the Chancellor.

Question

The Government may well throw these figures about, but we know that 3.8 million self-employed people have had no financial support throughout this whole pandemic. Freelancers, small companies and other people across Bolton and this country want the Chancellor to recognise the fact that his continued silence is just not good enough.

Answer from Jesse Norman

In mentioning Bolton, the hon. Lady somehow neglected to mention the £22.9 million worth of towns funding that Bolton has recently received. I thought she might kick off with that. The answer given was clear: we are bending over backwards to support people and will continue doing so.

Not addressed: The specific ask for recognition from the Chancellor about lack of financial support is not addressed, instead highlighting other funding received by Bolton

How: Neglected To Mention, Bending Over Backwards

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