Safe Asylum Routes: Afghan Refugees
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Caroline Lucas(1 year, 1 month ago)
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Support for Self-employed and Freelance Workers
Debate between Rachael Maskell and Caroline Lucas(4 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Caroline Lucas
A whole range of practical proposals has been set out by the Treasury Committee, ExcludedUK and many others documenting the other paperwork that could be presented, including records from tax returns and so forth, that can make sure that this scheme is not open to fraud. If the political will is there, a way can be found using a range of different documentation to demonstrate that the money that people are applying for is absolutely legitimate. We can look at bank statements, for instance. It is not beyond the wit of people to make sure that people in our constituencies are not literally having to go to food banks, as an hon. Member mentioned the other day, in order to be able to put food on the table.
Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
When I raised this very issue with the Treasury Minister, I highlighted the fact that the records are held in Companies House and all HMRC has to do is marry up the records. The reason he gave was that they did not have enough staff at HMRC. Is that not just a complete disgrace?
Caroline Lucas
I thank the hon. Lady for making that point. She is of course absolutely right, and it would be a simple measure to do this if the political will were there.