All 2 Debates between Rishi Sunak and Amy Callaghan

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rishi Sunak and Amy Callaghan
Wednesday 23rd November 2022

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend has consistently and rightly championed her rural constituents, making sure they get access to the energy support that we are providing. This is something that the Chancellor prioritised in last week’s autumn statement, and I will ensure that we get the money out as quickly as possible. My hon. Friend should also be reassured that the cold weather payment system provides extra financial support to those vulnerable constituents when temperatures drop below a certain point.

Amy Callaghan Portrait Amy Callaghan (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP)
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Q12. Did Scotland vote for Brexit? No. Did Scotland vote for austerity? No. Did Scotland vote for the Tories? No. What we did vote for—[Interruption.] Don’t shout me down—[Interruption.] Don’t shout me down; I have listened to all of you. What we did vote for, only last year, was the right to choose our own future. With that in mind, and given the previous non-answer by the Prime Minister, can he tell this House—tell us all, in fact—how a nation can leave this so-called voluntary Union?

Rishi Sunak Portrait The Prime Minister
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The challenges we face right now are those that require co-operation between our Governments: tackling the economy and supporting the NHS. I am pleased that last week’s autumn statement means that the Scottish Government will receive £1.5 billion in extra funding to deliver for public services in Scotland, and that is what we will continue doing.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rishi Sunak and Amy Callaghan
Monday 18th May 2020

(3 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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It is precisely because of the time it takes for businesses to ramp up that last week, I announced an extension to the furlough scheme all the way through to October, to provide that runway for growth—in particular, for those who will open later in tourism and hospitality. As I said, we will introduce flexible furloughing in the extension period of that scheme.

Amy Callaghan Portrait Amy Callaghan [V]
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Those on fixed-term contracts are in a particularly difficult situation where employers have placed them on furlough but are unwilling to extend it past their contract end date. One employer highlighted to me that that is because they are concerned that if they continue to furlough an employee without formally extending the contract, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will deem the furlough frivolous and seek reimbursement. Can the Chancellor confirm that employers can continue to furlough those whose fixed-term contracts have ended without any financial repercussion?

Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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I am happy to look at the specific example mentioned. It is important for us—and to protect the taxpayer—that we are paying furlough payments to those who are genuinely in employment and have a formal employment contract, but I am happy to look at that example.