Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a furlough-style scheme for people who cannot work as a result of being instructed to self-isolate.

If an employee is on sick leave or self-isolating as a result of coronavirus, they may be able to receive Statutory Sick Pay. Those who have been furloughed already can inform their employer that they are unable to work due to ill health, and until the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes on 31 October, the employer has the option to treat the days they should have been working as furlough days instead. However, it remains the case that the CJRS is not intended for short-term absences from work due to sickness.

As announced on 20 September, the Government is introducing a new package to support and enforce self-isolation. People required to self-isolate who are on a low income, cannot work from home and have lost income as a result will be eligible for a payment of £500. Just under four million people who are in receipt of benefits in England will be eligible for this payment from 28 September.