Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on long-term support for businesses who have been detrimentally affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. We have taken steps to give businesses access to cash to pay rent, salaries or suppliers, alongside a commitment to pay 80% of the regular monthly wages, up to £2,500, of furloughed workers via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

On 12 May the Chancellor announced that the CJRS would be extended for a further three months until October. The Government will continue to monitor developments to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on business.