Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) short-term and (b) long-term effect of job losses as a result of the covid-19 outbreak on the economy.

HM Treasury does not produce economic forecasts. The government is actively monitoring the Covid-19 outbreak and, in addition to taking the necessary steps to protect lives, is working urgently to protect our people and businesses and to minimise economic disruption as a result of coronavirus. For example, the recently announced Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help firms continue to keep people in employment. The government will continue to monitor the situation and act as needed to protect jobs and the economy.