Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2020 to Question 42946, what discussions he has held with businesses in the haulage industry on the potential need of businesses to access a furlough scheme on a monthly basis to cope with unpredictable business demand through the covid-19 pandemic.

The Government has announced a range of measures to support all businesses, including hauliers, such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The Department for Transport continues to engage with the haulage industry to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the sector.

As the economy re-opens, the Government will support people back into work. The Government announced on 12 May that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended for four months, until the end of October.

From August to October, the scheme will continue for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work. Employers currently using the scheme will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time. The Government will set out full details by the end of May.