Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has put forward the names of (a) economists or (b) scientists to Cabinet colleagues as persons from whom a presentation on the (i) covid-19 pandemic or (ii) economic effects of the Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic should be received.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Government welcome the views of relevant experts from inside and outside Government when considering the impact of Covid-19 and the economic effects of the Government’s response to the pandemic.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) provides scientific and technical advice to support government decision makers during emergencies, but we will also continue to work closely with other government departments, local authorities, Public Health England, and with intergovernmental organisations and our G7 and G20 partners overseas in efforts to respond to Covid-19. This work and collaboration takes into account the views of a range of experts, including scientists and economists, and this is the case in the normal course of policy making.

The Chancellor has put on record his thanks to the Trades Union Congress, the CBI and other business groups, for their constructive conversations around support schemes the Government has provided for workers and businesses, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) was also designed after extensive engagement with stakeholders including the TUC, the Federation of Small Businesses and IPSE - The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.