Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 26 May (HL4404), what support they will offer those people who have not been furloughed but have taken a voluntary temporary reduction in pay; whether they expect those for have taken voluntary temporary pay reductions to have entered into written agreements with their employers; and if not, what evidence they will require before these people can access any support.

Workers whose earnings fall 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 will normally 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.

The Government has announced a significant package of temporary welfare measures to support those on low incomes through the COVID-19 outbreak, including increasing the UC standard allowance by £20 per week.