Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications for assistance under the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (b) ability to defer VAT, (c) Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Scheme and (d) Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility have been rejected as a result of the applicant having been found not to meet the criteria for being based in the UK.

The Government has published aggregate application and approval figures on the loan schemes, including the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), and on VAT deferral, since 12 May, but does not hold specific information relating to applications of individual organisations or companies which have been rejected as a result of the applicants having been found not to meet the criteria for being based in the UK. These can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-coronavirus-covid-19-statistics#history. The Government is actively considering what further data can be made available in the future.

The Bank of England is responsible for publishing data on the Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), including a list of organisations or companies who have made applications. This can be accessed here: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/markets/bank-of-england-market-operations-guide/results-and-usage-data.

HMRC published Official Statistics for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) on 11 June, including a breakdown of sectoral recipients but not applications of individual organisations or companies which have been rejected as a result of the applicants having been found not to meet the criteria for being based in the UK. These can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/891249/Coronavirus_Job_Retention_Scheme_Statistics_June_2020.pdf

Our current support measures are well-targeted at the businesses and individuals who most need support, bearing in mind the need to act quickly to deliver this unprecedented package. The schemes are designed to support jobs in Britain. Sometimes this will involve foreign companies who employ people in the UK. We shouldn’t deny support to British workers, or to businesses that make a valuable contribution to the UK.