Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bill Esterson and Lord Sharma

Tuesday 15th December 2020 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab) [V]]

Many freelancers and self-employed people have had little or no financial support. They do not qualify for furlough, for the self-employed scheme or for business grants. With billions of pounds being returned in tax relief for business rates by the major retailers, why are Ministers not using that money, as the retailers are suggesting, to support those hundreds of thousands of people who have had little or no financial support so far?

[Alok Sharma]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, a whole range of support is available. I completely accept that not everyone will feel they have got precisely the amount of support that they would have liked, but a significant amount of support is available and, of course, all of this is always kept under review.