Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make available financial support for Barristers' chambers carrying out publicly-funded work where barristers are not eligible to apply for support through the Self-employment Income Support Scheme during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is available for those with trading profits of no more than £50,000, with the requirement to have submitted a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2018/2019 tax year. Recipients of the SEISS have must submitted a tax return for 2018/19 to allow HMRC to mitigate the risk of fraudulent applications.

Chambers and individual barristers may be eligible for other Government support, such as the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, and income tax and VAT deferrals. Chambers can also use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to reduce staffing costs.

The Government will continue to listen to feedback on the support available.