Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to support workers who were made redundant following the outbreak of covid-19 but prior to the announcement of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The Government will make sure it protects, as far as possible, people's jobs and incomes. To help firms continue to keep people in employment, the Government announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which includes employees who were made redundant since 28 February 2020 if they are rehired by their employer. For those who will not be eligible for the scheme, the Government is strengthening the safety net. The Government has announced a package of temporary welfare measures which, together with those measures announced at the Budget, provides over £6.5 billion in additional support through the welfare system.