Covid-19: Economic Package Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Covid-19: Economic Package

Wendy Chamberlain Excerpts
Tuesday 12th May 2020

(3 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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I thank my hon. Friend for his support and for the advice he has provided to me, with his extensive experience of business and of his constituency. He knows that I care deeply about the aviation sector. My right hon. Friends the Transport Secretary and the Foreign Secretary are considering the issues he raised. In particular, the Government have been clear that further detail on the quarantine measures will be outlined in due course, but I will pass on his suggestion.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD) [V]
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In North East Fife, much of the economy is seasonal and workers, who had contracts often agreed months in advance, face no income and no access to existing support. Fundraising for some golf caddies in St Andrews is under way and, although I applaud local community efforts and their generosity, rather than have the seasonal workforce rely on charity, what support can the Chancellor offer them this year so that they can return next year?

Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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Those who were in seasonal work can use an average of their earnings over a period for furlough payments, or indeed the same month on a year-over-year basis if that is a more generous way to calculate their eligibility. That is the most generous way to treat those in seasonal employment under the scheme and ensure that we reflect their earnings appropriately.