Self-isolation Financial Barriers 2021-03-09
2021-03-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussions on the adequacy of financial support for those instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
What recent discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the adequacy of financial support arrangements for people who are self-isolating during the covid-19 outbreak?
People instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and on qualifying means-tested benefits, unable to work from home, may be entitled to a £500 payment from their local authority.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion about the need for people to self-isolate despite inadequate statutory sick pay and lack of announcement regarding support payments in Chancellor's Budget.
We need people to self-isolate to control transmission and ease restrictions, yet many are continuing to work as they cannot survive on £95.85 statutory sick pay per week. The Chancellor has been asked about this on numerous occasions, and it was disappointing that nothing new was announced in his Budget. Does the Minister agree that those who do not have access to occupational sick pay and cannot work from home should be eligible for the Test and Trace support payments?
The Chancellor announced a payment of £500 for those not qualifying for means-tested benefit, paid through the discretionary scheme funded at the Budget to be administered by local authorities.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about Bradford Council's high demand for self-isolation payments and insufficient discretionary scheme funding.
Bradford Council has the highest demand for self-isolation payments in the country, reflecting the fact that most people in our city are unable to work from home. The standard scheme for those on certain benefits is fully funded but the discretionary scheme is not. In fact, the funding for Bradford falls far short of demand. Will he urgently look into this so councils with high demand can support all workers who need to self-isolate?
The Chancellor announced a £20 million per month increase for the discretionary scheme, widening eligibility scope under that scheme to cover additional factors like parents unable to work due to child self-isolation.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about initial inadequate discretionary self-isolation funding leading to denial of support in Blackburn.
The Government have now made available £20 million a month in discretionary self-isolation funding for local authorities, despite only making £15 million available for four months when the scheme first started. Because of this, hundreds of people in Blackburn have been denied support to self-isolate. Does he accept that initial allocations fell well below what was needed and contributed to the rise in cases? Is it fair on my constituents?
The Chancellor has increased discretionary support funding to £20 million per month, extending eligibility to include parents unable to work due to child self-isolation. This shows the Government's willingness to adapt schemes as needed.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent's inability to access self-isolation payment due to isolation instructions from the NHS covid-19 app.
In November, a constituent was told to isolate via the NHS covid-19 app. She would have been eligible for the isolation payment but as she was instructed through the app and never received an NHS Test and Trace account ID, her application could not proceed. My constituent was financially affected as she could not work. Can he advise if my constituent can still access this payment retrospectively?
It is difficult to comment without seeing full facts of individual case, but hon. Member will ensure the case is looked at. There is a wider package of support including self-employed income support scheme and other measures depending on individual circumstances.
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Assessment & feedback
retrospective eligibility for payment via NHS app
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about insufficient funding for Test and Trace despite £37 billion allocation affecting its effectiveness.
Test and Trace has now been allocated £37 billion but its head Baroness Dido Harding told both the Public Accounts Committee and the Science and Technology Committee that getting people to isolate is a struggle. Although the Government have provided support for self-isolation, surely the Chief Secretary can go back and look again to ensure what Treasury provides enables test, trace and isolate to be truly effective or we are really not going to beat this pandemic?
The Chancellor increased funding for discretionary support. This alongside £500 self-isolation payments shows Government's willingness to adapt schemes as needed, with wider support from employers being key in addressing costs.
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Assessment & feedback
review of Treasury's funding effectiveness
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government's road map out of lockdown emphasizes the importance of self-isolation in halting disease spread, but financial difficulties prevent people from adhering to this guideline. A year ago, the Health Secretary admitted that statutory sick pay is insufficient for individuals to survive on.
The questioner noted that Baroness Harding recently acknowledged financial constraints prevent self-isolation and that a year ago the Health Secretary could not live off statutory sick pay of £94.25 per week. Statutory sick pay is now £95.85 per week. The MP asked why the Chancellor does not ensure those relying on statutory sick pay or unable to access it receive the £500 payment.
The Minister noted that the Budget announcement last week included a discretionary element of the Test and Trace support payments, which applies even if people are not in receipt of means-tested benefits. The £500 payment addresses the importance of incentivizing testing. Additionally, cases just outside the means-tested element of Test and Trace are addressed through a discretionary fund announced in the Budget last week.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked specifically about guaranteeing eligibility for those reliant on statutory sick pay or unable to access it, but the Minister did not provide a direct commitment beyond mentioning the discretionary fund. The specifics of how this fund operates were not detailed.
Under Review
Considering
Response accuracy