Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the recommendations in Hospitality Union’s #NationalTimeOut campaign; and what recent steps he has taken to support the hospitality industry during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
During this difficult time the Treasury is working intensively with employers, delivery partners, industry groups and other government departments to understand the long-term effects of social distancing across all key areas of the economy.
We appreciate the concerns of Hospitality Union’s NationalTimeOut campaign and the Government recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on businesses and sectors like hospitality.
That is why the Chancellor has already announced unprecedented support for individuals and businesses, to protect against the current economic emergency. This includes changes to our welfare system including Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay; grant schemes such as the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and the Discretionary Grant Fund, which are primarily and predominantly aimed at small businesses facing high fixed property-related costs; a range of government-backed and guaranteed loan schemes; the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
We will continue to monitor the impact of government support with regard to supporting public services, businesses, individuals, and sectors such as hospitality. We are also keeping the exit strategy of all schemes under review as we respond to this pandemic and consider the longer-term economic recovery.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme in line with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme on 29 May.
Eligible individuals whose business is adversely affected by COVID-19 will be able to claim a second and final grant when the scheme reopens for further applications in August. Individuals will be able to claim a taxable grant worth 70 per cent of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits and capped at £6,570 in total.
There will be no further changes and no further extensions to the scheme, which continues to be one of the most generous in the world.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the letters dated (a) 30 March 2020, (b) 31 March 2020, (c) 1 April 2020, (d) 6 April 2020 and (e) 16 April 2020 from the hon. Member for Edinburgh East on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
HM Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, and apologises for the delay in responding to the Honourable Member. The Honourable Member’s correspondence is receiving attention and will be replied to as soon as possible.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of people who have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme being able to continue to work on critical elements of their employers' operations not related to income generation or trading; and when he plans to respond to the letter dated 31 March 2020 from the hon. Member for Edinburgh East on that subject.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help those who otherwise would have been made unemployed and to provide support to businesses as quickly as possible. Allowing employers to move staff to part-time and claim the difference would be contrary to the policy goal and substantially increase the risk of fraud. It is also inconsistent with public health guidance for people to stay at home. However, there is flexibility in the scheme as employers can decide how many staff to furlough, and staff can be furloughed multiple times while the scheme is in operation, provided they are furloughed for a minimum of 3 weeks.The Honourable Member will appreciate that at this unprecedented time the Government is receiving very significant volumes of correspondence. HM Treasury officials are working to ensure that all Honourable Members receive a reply to correspondence as soon as possible.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to enable employees that had a signed contract but had not started work prior to the announcement of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to be furloughed under that scheme; and when he plans to respond to the letters of 27 March 2020 and 16 April 2020 from the hon. Member for Edinburgh East.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Processing claims for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme where HMRC do not have RTI data by 19 March would require much greater manual handling by HMRC, which would significantly slow down the system while risking substantial levels of fraud. It would also require greater resource for HMRC when they are already under significant pressure to deliver the system designed. Those not eligible for the scheme may be able to access the other support Government is providing, including a package of temporary welfare measures and up to three months’ mortgage payment holidays for those struggling with their mortgage payments.
The Honourable Member will appreciate that at this unprecedented time the Government is receiving very significant volumes of correspondence. HM Treasury officials are working to ensure that all Honourable Members receive a reply to correspondence as soon as possible.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure that insurance companies accept covid-19 as a legitimate claim for businesses when as a result of the recent emergence of that virus it is not named on their policy.
Answered by John Glen
The Chancellor has made clear that, for those businesses which have an appropriate policy that covers pandemics and unspecified notifiable diseases, as well as government-ordered closure, the government’s medical advice of 16 March is sufficient to allow businesses to make a claim against their insurance, provided the other terms and conditions in their policy are met.
In addition, the FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed.
However, most businesses have not purchased insurance that covers pandemic related losses. As such, any affected businesses should note the government’s full package of support.
The government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the running costs of No.11 Downing Street were in each of the last ten years.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The No 11 Downing Street running costs for the last ten years are in the table below: The figures cover Rent, Maintenance, Furniture & Fittings and Official Entertainment
| Spend £ |
2009-10 | 436,909 |
2010-11 | 351,054 |
2011-12 | 553,903 |
2012-13 | 545,073 |
2013-14 | 643,414 |
2014-15 | 561,089 |
2015-16 | 524,381 |
2016-17 | 698,672 |
2017-18 | 690,648 |
2018-19 | 812,587 |