Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will amend the eligibility criteria for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to include new starters who were not on the payroll with their new company on 19 March 2020 but had a contractual agreement in place with that employer.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to any individual who was on an employer’s PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020 and for whom HMRC received an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before the 19 March 2020. Processing claims for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme where HMRC did not have RTI data by 19 March would significantly slow down the system while risking substantial levels of fraud. It would also require greater resource for HMRC when they are already under significant pressure to deliver the system designed.

Those not eligible for the scheme may have access to other support which the Government is providing, including a package of temporary welfare measures and up to three months’ mortgage payment holidays for those in difficulty with their mortgage payments.