Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the level of need for an extension of the furlough period beyond its current end date.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until October 2020. Extending the scheme in its current form until July will provide workers, businesses and the economy with clarity on this vital support. After July, the Government will introduce more flexibility to the furlough scheme in a measured way that protects people’s incomes and helps support furloughed employees as they return to work. From August through to the end of October, employers currently using the scheme will have more flexibility to bring their furloughed employees back to work part-time while still receiving support from the scheme. Employers using the scheme will start contributing some of the costs of their workers’ salaries, substituting in part the contribution that the Government is currently making. The Government will outline more details of how this will work by the end of May.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on greater flexibility in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for industries where demand is unpredictable.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until October 2020. Extending the scheme in its current form until July will provide workers, businesses and the economy with clarity on this vital support. After July, the Government will introduce more flexibility to the furlough scheme in a measured way that protects people’s incomes and helps support furloughed employees as they return to work. From August through to the end of October, employers currently using the scheme will have more flexibility to bring their furloughed employees back to work part-time while still receiving support from the scheme. Employers using the scheme will start contributing some of the costs of their workers’ salaries, substituting in part the contribution that the Government is currently making. The Government will outline more details of how this will work by the end of May.
It is the case that some firms will be affected by coronavirus for longer than others, and the Government will seek to support these firms appropriately. It would be challenging to target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and it may not be the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by coronavirus.
The Government will continue to monitor developments and engage with affected sectors, with the aim of ensuring that support provided is right for these sectors and for the economy as a whole.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits on introducing greater flexibility in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for industries where demand is unpredictable.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until October 2020. Extending the scheme in its current form until July will provide workers, businesses and the economy with clarity on this vital support. After July, the Government will introduce more flexibility to the furlough scheme in a measured way that protects people’s incomes and helps support furloughed employees as they return to work. From August through to the end of October, employers currently using the scheme will have more flexibility to bring their furloughed employees back to work part-time while still receiving support from the scheme. Employers using the scheme will start contributing some of the costs of their workers’ salaries, substituting in part the contribution that the Government is currently making. The Government will outline more details of how this will work by the end of May.
It is the case that some firms will be affected by coronavirus for longer than others, and the Government will seek to support these firms appropriately. It would be challenging to target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and it may not be the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by coronavirus.
The Government will continue to monitor developments and engage with affected sectors, with the aim of ensuring that support provided is right for these sectors and for the economy as a whole.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits on introducing a monthly furlough scheme for businesses that have taken vehicles out of service as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Government has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until October 2020. Extending the scheme in its current form until July will provide workers, businesses and the economy with clarity on this vital support. After July, the Government will introduce more flexibility to the furlough scheme in a measured way that protects people’s incomes and helps support furloughed employees as they return to work. From August through to the end of October, employers currently using the scheme will have more flexibility to bring their furloughed employees back to work part-time while still receiving support from the scheme. Employers using the scheme will start contributing some of the costs of their workers’ salaries, substituting in part the contribution that the Government is currently making. The Government will outline more details of how this will work by the end of May.
It is the case that some firms will be affected by coronavirus for longer than others, and the Government will seek to support these firms appropriately. It would be challenging to target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and it may not be the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by coronavirus.
The Government will continue to monitor developments and engage with affected sectors, with the aim of ensuring that support provided is right for these sectors and for the economy as a whole.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a 100 per cent Government backed invoice financing programme to help companies manage (a) late payment and (b) non-payment of invoices during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The government is aware of the importance to company cashflow of reliable invoice payments.
We are taking unprecedented action to support businesses and their cashflow, including business loans and guarantees, paying 80% of furloughed workers’ wages and tax deferrals.
The government keeps all policies under review and is monitoring the impact these measures are having in supporting public services, businesses, and individuals.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of a temporary suspension of fuel duty for the logistics sector to ensure the financial viability of haulage businesses during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government recognises the extreme disruption to businesses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why the Government has announced unprecedented support for businesses, including a business rates holiday, grants to smaller businesses and a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans.
The Government has also taken steps to specifically support the logistics sector and haulage businesses. Budget announced that fuel duty would be frozen for a tenth consecutive year, and that HGV VED and levy rates would also be frozen again in 2020-21.
Haulage businesses have also benefitted from the reduced by price of fuel: diesel pump prices in the week of the 4th of May were down 20p per litre compared to a year ago.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of suspending fuel duty for the logistics industry during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government recognises the extreme disruption to businesses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why the Government has announced unprecedented support for businesses, including a business rates holiday, grants to smaller businesses and a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans.
The Government has also taken steps to specifically support the logistics sector and haulage businesses. Budget announced that fuel duty would be frozen for a tenth consecutive year, and that HGV VED and levy rates would also be frozen again in 2020-21.
Haulage businesses have also benefitted from the reduced by price of fuel: diesel pump prices in the week of the 4th of May were down 20p per litre compared to a year ago.
Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a comparative assessment of the level of fuel duty derogations available for the logistics sector in each EU Member state; and whether those derogations can be applied in the the UK as part of the recovery from the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government recognises the extreme disruption to businesses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why the Government has announced unprecedented support for businesses, including a business rates holiday, grants to smaller businesses and a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans.
The Government has also taken steps to specifically support the logistics sector and haulage businesses. Budget announced that fuel duty would be frozen for a tenth consecutive year, and that HGV VED and levy rates would also be frozen again in 2020-21.
Haulage businesses have also benefitted from the reduced by price of fuel: diesel pump prices in the week of the 4th of May were down 20p per litre compared to a year ago.