Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the need to introduce a package of financial support for dental practices in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency. This support includes a commitment to pay 80% of the regular monthly wages, up to £2,500, of furloughed workers for four months, via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and help for the self-employed with the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), which will provide grants to those who are self-employed, or members of partnerships, worth 80% of their trading profits/partnership trading profits, also up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. All employed staff in dental practices, including support staff, could also be eligible for these schemes.

Dental and other healthcare practices may also benefit from measures, including:

• Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief;
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
• The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL)
• VAT deferral for up to 12 months
• Through the Time To Pay scheme, businesses and self-employed individuals in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs
• Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-payment until June 30, 2020

The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support.