Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on (a) the gender pay gap and (b) indirect discrimination.

HM Treasury pays due regard to the equality impacts of policy decisions relating to the COVID-19 outbreak, in line with legal requirements and the Government’s commitment to promoting equality. There are internal procedural requirements and support in place to ensure that such considerations inform decisions taken by ministers.

The Treasury’s decision on when and how to close down the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be based on all available evidence, including any equalities impacts.