Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Government has to apply for funding proposed by the EU Commission for covid-19-related projects before the end of 2020.

The Government has announced unprecedented support for public services, workers and businesses to protect against the current economic emergency. Our economic response is one of the most generous and comprehensive globally and the Government is now working urgently to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible.

We’ve taken steps to make our schemes deliverable, fair and targeted at those who need it the most. These measures will support millions of families, businesses and self-employed people to get through this and emerge on the other side both stronger and more united.

Under the financial settlement in the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will continue to pay into EU programmes funded by the 2020 EU Budget, and benefit from our share of receipts, until the end of this year. This includes initiatives which form part of the EU’s Covid-19 response, although there are some new measures which do not apply to the UK under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Government is considering different funds on a case-by-case basis and will apply for funding where it is in the national interest to do so.