Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support the Government is providing for (a) businesses going into administration as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and (b) staff whose jobs are threatened such administration.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Businesses, including those in the retail sector, experiencing economic difficulties continue to have access to a range of support measures including, but not limited to:
The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
The Government has also introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill which is currently passing through the House. This bill will provide businesses with the flexibility and breathing space they need to continue trading during this difficult time. The measures are designed to help UK companies and other similar entities by easing the burden on businesses and helping them avoid insolvency during this period of economic uncertainty.
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what emergency support the Government is providing for retail sector organisations at risk of entering in to administration as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Businesses, including those in the retail sector, experiencing economic difficulties continue to have access to a range of support measures including, but not limited to:
The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
The Government has also introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill which is currently passing through the House. This bill will provide businesses with the flexibility and breathing space they need to continue trading during this difficult time. The measures are designed to help UK companies and other similar entities by easing the burden on businesses and helping them avoid insolvency during this period of economic uncertainty.
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the increased telecommunications costs to vulnerable people who are unable to leave their homes during the covid-19 outbreak; and what fiscal support the Government is providing to those people.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The government is committed to supporting individuals through this difficult time. We have increased the generosity of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by £20 p/w, as well as raising the Local Housing Allowance rate to 30% of market rents. We have made significant changes to the operation of Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, and new style Employment and Support Allowance to ensure that people have quicker and more generous access to a support system.
The government has also agreed a set of commitments with the UK's major telecommunications providers to support and protect vulnerable consumers and those who may become vulnerable due to circumstances arising from COVID-19. These measures include, among others, the removal of all data allowance caps on all current fixed broadband services, and a commitment by providers to work fairly with customers who find it difficult to pay their bills as a result of COVID-19.
In addition, the government recently announced that vulnerable and disadvantaged children across England are to receive laptops, tablets and 4G routers to make remote education accessible. We are also working with the country’s major telecommunication providers to make it easier for children in vulnerable and disadvantaged families, who are relying on mobile data, to access online educational resources.
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak and the increased reliance on online services during that outbreak, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the adequacy of Government funding for digital skills.
Answered by Steve Barclay
HMT and DCMS ministers meet frequently to cover a range of issues as part of the normal process of policy development and delivery.
The government recognises that new measures taken to protect against Covid-19 mean there will be an increased reliance on digital services. This is why the government is working with FutureDotNow, a coalition of companies and civil society organisations to improve digital skills and support remote working.
The government has also announced that vulnerable and disadvantaged children across England are to receive laptops, tablets and 4G routers to make remote education accessible.
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on funding programmes to provide electronic equipment and connectivity for education and social use to vulnerable people.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
HMT and DCMS ministers meet frequently to cover a range of issues as part of the normal process of policy development and delivery.
The government is working to address issues faced by vulnerable people who may also be digitally excluded. For example:
- The government is currently working with FutureDotNow to support an industry-led campaign to provide devices to digitally excluded people to support better health and social care outcomes.
- The government has also worked with the UK’s major telecommunications providers to agree measures to support connectivity for vulnerable consumers.
- The government has also recently announced that vulnerable and disadvantaged children across England are to receive laptops, tablets and 4G routers to make remote education accessible. The government is additionally working with the major telecommunications providers to make it easier for families to access selected educational resources by temporarily exempting these sites from data charges.
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the contribution to the public purse of the apprenticeship levy since its introduction.
Answered by Mel Stride - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Monthly receipts data for the Apprenticeship Levy is published by HM Revenue & Customs in their Tax & NIC Receipts publication which can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmrc-tax-and-nics-receipts-for-the-uk
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the two child tax credit limit on kinship carers who are already raising two children.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The government is committed to making the welfare system fair for those who pay for it as well as those who benefit from it. Families in receipt of welfare payments should face the same financial decisions as families supporting themselves solely through work. However, in recognition that some claimants are not able to make choices about the number of children in their family, the government has provided exceptions for certain groups, including in cases of kinship care.
Data on the exceptions will be published at a future date following quality assurance.
As with all our policies, the government will continue to keep this policy under review.
Asked by: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to remove the two child tax credit limit for kinship carers who are unable to claim child tax credit for any child to whom they give birth.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The government is committed to making the welfare system fair for those who pay for it as well as those who benefit from it. Families in receipt of welfare payments should face the same financial decisions as families supporting themselves solely through work. However, in recognition that some claimants are not able to make choices about the number of children in their family, the government has provided exceptions for certain groups, including in cases of kinship care.
Data on the exceptions will be published at a future date following quality assurance.
As with all our policies, the government will continue to keep this policy under review.