Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Kane Excerpts

Tuesday 26th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Alex Norris (Nottingham North) (Lab/Co-op)]

What fiscal steps he is taking to support self-employed people ineligible for the self-employment income support scheme.

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the newly self-employed during the covid-19 outbreak.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Jesse Norman)]

The self-employment income support scheme was designed to target support at those who most need it while protecting the taxpayer against error, fraud and abuse. The Government recognise that some of the rules and criteria that have been vital to ensuring that the scheme worked for the vast majority have meant that, in some cases, people were not able to qualify. This is one reason why the Government put in place a much wider £280 billion support package, including increased levels of universal credit, bounce back loans, tax, deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, self-isolation support payments and other business support grants.

[Jesse Norman]

The message would be that the Treasury is doing everything it can to protect jobs, families and livelihoods in the face of the worst pandemic crisis that we have experienced in recorded history. It is important to say that, in the case of this scheme, we have spent considerable time engaging with groups that have brought forward potential ways of addressing some of the gaps in support that may exist. As I mentioned, we have had meetings in December and evaluated suggestions all the way through last year, including a concrete suggestion in relation to the directors income support scheme, so we are heavily leaning into this issue.

[Mike Kane [V]]

I want to raise the case of my constituent, Teresa McGeough, who is a newly self-employed special educational needs expert. She has not been eligible for any financial assistance during the pandemic. Does the Minister think that the Government are doing enough to help people such as Theresa and others?

[Jesse Norman]

As I have said, the Government are doing everything they can and have been working round the clock for a year to address the full needs of the country across all the different aspect of our economy and society, including through support for the self-employed.