Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Pawsey Excerpts

Wednesday 7th October 2020 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting job retention in Scotland during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

What estimate he has made of the number of self-employed people in Scotland who have not received support from the Government’s covid-19 financial support schemes.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

I have regular discussions with my Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor, on all aspects of how the UK Government continue to support Scotland’s economy. The Chancellor recently announced a package of measures that will continue to support jobs and help businesses through the uncertain months ahead.

[Mark Pawsey]

At the height of the biggest economic downturn this country has seen in our lifetime, the UK Government stepped up and protected nearly 1 million Scottish jobs through the job retention scheme and the self-employment income support scheme. Does the Secretary of State agree that those measures show that the UK Government have done everything possible to support people’s livelihoods across the entirety of the United Kingdom?

[Mr Jack]

Yes, I do. The might of the UK Treasury has supported all parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland.