Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 1.99 of the Budget 2020 Red Book, if he will provide details of the process by which businesses will be reimbursed in the event that they are required to provide employees with statutory sick pay as a result of covid-19.

The Government will bring forward legislation to allow small- and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.

The Government will work with employers over the coming months to set up the repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible. Existing systems are not designed for this purpose.

All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service.