Question reference: S5W-35638
- Date lodged: 1 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding (a) people and (b) businesses who have been unable to access (i) the Self Employment Income Support Scheme, (ii) the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and (iii) other HMRC-issued financial assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
Scottish Ministers continue to be concerned about the number of people unable to access financial support and have made repeated representations to the UK Government about the impact of Covid-19, the gaps in the current support measures and the need for continued support going forward.
We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that the furlough scheme will be extended across the UK until end of September and that it will be withdrawn in a phased and gradual manner. It is essential the UK Government commits to the scheme remaining available to businesses in Scotland as long as restrictions remain in place.
We have called for the Chancellor to revise the cut-off date for entry to the Job retention Scheme, we remain concerned about those workers who cannot benefit from the scheme.