Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) extending business rates exemption relief to barristers’ chambers and (b) provide tailored support for publicly-funded Bar employees that are ineligible for the self-employed scheme.

While office space such as barristers’ chambers is not eligible for the retail, hospitality and leisure relief, a range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for the business rates holiday has been made available. For example, the Government has launched the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms keep people in employment, and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Those ineligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) may still benefit from other support. Individuals may have access to a range of grants and loans depending on their circumstances, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme,?Bounce Back Loans,?and the deferral of tax payments.?There will be no further changes and no further extensions to the SEISS, which continues to be one of the most generous self-employed support schemes in the world.