Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on supporting private dental practices during the covid-19 outbreak.

HM Treasury Ministers are in regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care about matters relating to health spending and policy.

The Government has set out a range of measures to support private dental practices during the covid-19 outbreak. If they meet the criteria, private dentists who are self-employed could be eligible for the Self-employment Income Support Scheme and those who are employees and receive a salary through a PAYE scheme could be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. All employed staff in dental practices, including support staff, could also be eligible for this scheme. In addition, private dentists can access the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, if they can channel their activity through a business account.

Dental businesses may also be eligible for up to 100% Small Business Rate Relief where it has a single property with a rateable value below £15,000. This is on top of other support, such as tax deferrals.