Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to make the Employment Support Allowance eligible for people affected by COVID-19; and (2) to suspend the need for three years of National Insurance contributions for the Employment and Support Allowance for those affected by COVID-19.

As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.