The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector to understand and influence its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation.<\/p>
Travel insurance typically applies only for losses that cannot be recovered from elsewhere, that is, after any refunds from airlines, travel, or accommodation providers. Although insurance against travel disruption due to pandemics is typically included in travel insurance policies, customers should first contact travel providers or accommodation providers for reimbursement. In the next instance, credit card providers would provide a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 if the payment was made by credit card and cost was over £100 per unit.<\/p>
If there is no still recoverable cost from these sources, a travel insurance claim may be applicable where the policy covers UK travel. Some policies will only cover foreign travel, but more comprehensive policies will also cover UK travel.<\/p>
Travel insurance policies differ so, if in doubt, customers should speak to their insurer or check the terms and conditions of their policy.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have discussed with insurers the importance of insurance cover for Covid-19 in restoring consumers with the confidence to travel again. Firms assure us that they will look to extend cover again where and when they can. They are monitoring announcements by Government and reviewing their position as the situation evolves. We will continue to monitor this situation closely.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-09T06:51:30.863Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Travel: Insurance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the insurance industry on the validity of travel insurance for holidays cancelled as a result of the new quarantine regulations due to the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Tracey Crouch"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chatham and Aylesford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tracey Crouch"} ], "uin" : "54883"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1200592", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1200592/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Those who pay themselves a salary through their own company are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including owner-managers, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible. Where furloughed directors, including companies with a sole director, need to carry out particular duties to fulfil their statutory obligations, they may do so provided it is no more than would reasonably be judged necessary for that purpose.<\/p>
<\/p>
Dividends are not covered by the CJRS or the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Income from dividends is a return on investment in the company, rather than wages. Under current reporting mechanisms it is not possible for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to distinguish between dividends derived from an individual\u2019s own company and dividends from other sources, and between dividends in lieu of employment income and as returns from other corporate activity.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government has worked with stakeholders and carefully considered the case for providing a new system for those who pay themselves through dividends. However, targeting additional support for those who pay their wages via dividends is much more complex than existing income support schemes. Unlike announced support schemes, which use information HMRC already holds, it would require owner-managers to make a claim and submit information that HMRC could not efficiently or consistently verify to ensure payments were made to eligible companies, for eligible activity.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government has heard the suggestion made that HMRC could adopt a \u2018pay now, claw back later\u2019 approach. However, such an approach would be highly resource-intensive to ensure appropriate compliance, and there is a high risk that incorrect or fraudulent payments could not be recovered, ultimately at the cost of UK taxpayers.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extension or changes to the SEISS or CJRS. However, other support is available. The CJRS and SEISS continue to be just two elements of a comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support,\u202fincreased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
}
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, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, {"_value" : "55002"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support directors of limited companies during the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4630", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ben Lake"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1200593", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1200593/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Those who pay themselves a salary through their own company are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including owner-managers, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible. Where furloughed directors, including companies with a sole director, need to carry out particular duties to fulfil their statutory obligations, they may do so provided it is no more than would reasonably be judged necessary for that purpose.<\/p> <\/p> Dividends are not covered by the CJRS or the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Income from dividends is a return on investment in the company, rather than wages. Under current reporting mechanisms it is not possible for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to distinguish between dividends derived from an individual\u2019s own company and dividends from other sources, and between dividends in lieu of employment income and as returns from other corporate activity.<\/p> <\/p> The Government has worked with stakeholders and carefully considered the case for providing a new system for those who pay themselves through dividends. However, targeting additional support for those who pay their wages via dividends is much more complex than existing income support schemes. Unlike announced support schemes, which use information HMRC already holds, it would require owner-managers to make a claim and submit information that HMRC could not efficiently or consistently verify to ensure payments were made to eligible companies, for eligible activity.<\/p> <\/p> The Government has heard the suggestion made that HMRC could adopt a \u2018pay now, claw back later\u2019 approach. However, such an approach would be highly resource-intensive to ensure appropriate compliance, and there is a high risk that incorrect or fraudulent payments could not be recovered, ultimately at the cost of UK taxpayers.<\/p> <\/p>