Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government plans to top up the wages of workers who have had their normal hours reduced during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Workers who see a fall in earnings due to a reduction in their work hours may become eligible for support through the welfare system, including through Universal Credit (UC). Existing UC claimants are likely to receive a higher award as a result of a fall in earnings. For employed claimants this will be updated automatically using information from the PAYE system

In response to the crisis, the Government has strengthened the welfare system, including by increasing the UC standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 per week. In addition, to protect people’s jobs and incomes as far as possible during the crisis, the Government has announced a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.