Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect on the number of universal credit claimants of teaching staff agencies not using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not collect data on the number of supply teachers claiming Universal Credit.

If teaching staff employed via employment agencies are unable to work due to Covid-19, their employment agency can place them on furlough and use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to claim for 80% of their wages, including during school holiday periods, provided that the eligibility criteria are met.

However, schools can continue to engage temporary staff such as supply teachers during this lockdown period, and schools may want to consider how this staff can assist in delivering face to face education to pupils who continue to attend school, and to deliver remote education for those who are not attending.

Individuals who unfortunately lose their job or face a reduction in their earnings may become eligible for support through the welfare system, including Universal Credit or new style Jobseeker’s Allowance. The Government has announced an extra £7.4 billion of support through the welfare system this year.