Covid-19 Update

Baroness Keeley Excerpts
Monday 29th June 2020

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
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Yes, absolutely—in real time, effectively.

Baroness Keeley Portrait Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab) [V]
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As the Secretary of State has detailed, when areas are put into local lockdown, businesses will have to close, including some that had probably been preparing to reopen this week. Can he confirm that any business impacted by a local lockdown in Leicester, and in other areas in future, will be able to access the furlough scheme as it currently exists, rather than having to subsidise the wages of staff who cannot work?

Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
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Of course the furlough scheme is available, as it is across the country. In addition, we have provided the councils in question—both Leicester and Leicestershire, because some of the affected area is in the conurbation of Leicester that is technically in Leicestershire—with support to use at their discretion for this sort of purpose.