Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the long term financial effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) women, (b) BAME workers, (c) self employed workers and (d) gig economy workers.

It is too early to assess the long-term financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on individual groups, but the Government recognises the challenges that the current crisis is posing to all groups in society, including the most vulnerable.

The Government has delivered an unprecedented package of support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, and increases to Universal Credit. This has helped protect incomes, jobs, and support those most in need.

The Government remains committed to supporting the lowest-paid workers and helping unemployed people go back into work, and the Government is continuing to review what can be done to support those most vulnerable to job loss and to aid the UK’s economic recovery.