Employment: Coronavirus

(asked on 15th September 2020) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to make financial support available to people suffering long-term effects of covid-19 and who are unable to work as a result of their symptoms.


Answered by
Jesse Norman Portrait
Jesse Norman
This question was answered on 21st September 2020

The Government has committed to an unprecedented package to support individuals affected by COVID-19 through this difficult time. This includes the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self-Employment Income Support Schemes.

If an employee earns average weekly earnings of at least £120 per week, they will be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they have been ill or self-isolating. SSP is paid by an employer for up to 28 weeks and may be paid to those unable to work as a result of long-term effects of COVID-19. The Government has also changed the rules so that SSP is now payable from day 1, not day 4, for COVID-19 cases.

Where an individual is not eligible for SSP or has received it for the maximum period, the Government provides a welfare safety net. According to OBR estimates, the Government has injected a further £9.3 billion into the welfare system to support individuals who are unable to work or on a low income. Those with a health condition which prevents them from working or preparing for work may be entitled to an extra amount of Universal Credit. In addition, individuals with sufficient National Insurance contributions may be entitled to “new style” Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if they are incapable of work due to COVID-19.

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