Self-employment Income Support Scheme

(asked on 2nd November 2020) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many applications to the Self Employment Income Support Scheme from self-employed workers have been refused.


Answered by
Jesse Norman Portrait
Jesse Norman
This question was answered on 10th November 2020

The SEISS continues to be one of the most generous self-employed COVID-19 support schemes in the world.

HMRC do not refuse applications for the scheme. People are either eligible to apply for SEISS and, based on the information held by HMRC given access to the service, or they are ineligible and not given access. Eligibility is based strictly on the criteria set by the Chancellor.

In addition, HMRC actively monitor claims for evidence of risk/fraudulent behaviour. Where HMRC sees this type of compliance risk, HMRC rejects the claim.

The Winter Economy Plan set out a package of targeted measures in response to the current economic context, which will enable businesses to protect jobs, and manage their finances in the face of reduced or uncertain demand. This includes the extension of the temporary VAT reduced rate for hospitality and tourism, extending the application window of the access to finance schemes, and further support for employees and the self-employed, through a Job Support Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Grant Extension.

The SEISS is one element of a comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. On 8 July, the Government also introduced the new Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs.

More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

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