Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support the Government provides to self employed people that are unable to access the self employed income support scheme as a result of not having the relevant income tax and national insurance contributions.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government has designed measures that can be operationalised quickly and effectively under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). It continues to work with stakeholders to make sure funding reaches those who need it most, keeping all policies under review. Some 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment could benefit from the SEISS and anyone requiring support before the beginning of June should have access to other measures appropriate to their individual circumstances. For example, the self-employed can benefit from the Government’s relaxation of the earnings rules (known as the Minimum Income Floor) in Universal Credit. Individuals may also have access to a range of grants and loans depending on their circumstances, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Bounce Back Loans Scheme, and the deferral of tax payments.Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Credit Unions in Northern Ireland are able to be accredited lenders under the Bounce Back Loan scheme.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
On 27 April, the Chancellor announced the Bounce Back Loans Scheme to ensure that the smallest businesses can access loans in a matter of days. The scheme launched on 4 May, offering loans from £2,000 up to £50,000, capped at 25% of firms’ turnover. The Government will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee on each loan, to give lenders the confidence they need to support the smallest businesses in the country. The Bounce Back Loans Scheme is open to businesses and lenders across the UK. Lenders in Northern Ireland interested in accreditation can enquire through the British Business Bank.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide financial support to front line NHS, care sector and emergency service workers during the covid-19 outbreak by (a) reducing income tax and (b) making a one-off payment.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is proud of the extraordinary commitment shown by all health and care staff. The Government is working hard to ensure that staff feel supported and safe to continue the fight against COVID-19.
More than one million NHS staff continue to benefit from the Agenda for Change deal, under which the starting pay for a newly qualified nurse has risen by over 12% since 2017/18. The Government has also agreed a pay deal that provides junior doctors with a minimum 8.2% pay rise over four years. The Government will work to ensure that the NHS employment offer continues to attract, retain and reward staff, and this continues to be kept under review.
The Government is also taking action to reduce the tax that individuals pay and to support those with limited incomes. For example, it raised the personal allowance to £12,500 from April 2019. As a result, a typical basic rate taxpayer pays over £1,200 less this year than in 2010.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on introducing a universal basic income scheme for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is doing whatever it can to ensure that individuals, families and businesses are supported during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Government’s priority has been to focus on measures that can be operationalised as quickly as possible in order to provide support to those who need it.
The Government has announced a wide-ranging package of measures to support individuals and families affected by Covid-19. These measures include:
While all welfare policy is devolved to Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive will be fully funded to deliver these measures and the Government expects them to replicate GB policy.