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1193108

registered interest
date	05/05/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Businesses: Government Assistance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to extend financial support during the covid-19 outbreak to businesses that do not pay business rates.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	43648
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>The Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund have helped many thousands of small businesses, which as of 4<sup>th</sup> May had received over £8.6 billion worth of grants. However, we are aware that many small businesses which are facing high fixed costs are finding themselves excluded from these grants schemes because the way they interact with the current business rates system means they are not eligible for the grants schemes.</p><p> </p><p>On Friday 1 May, the Government announced that it would be making up to £617m of additional funding available to Local Authorities to enable them to make payments of up to £25,000 to businesses in these situations.</p><p> </p><p>The discretionary funds will be administered by Local Authorities, who will ask businesses to apply for a grant. Local Authorities will receive guidance regarding which kinds of businesses should be considered a priority for these funds. It is the Government’s intention that the following businesses should be considered as a priority for these funds:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Businesses in shared offices;</li><li>Regular market traders who do not have their own business rates assessment;</li><li>B&amp;Bs which pay Council Tax instead of business rates; and</li><li>Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Local Authorities may also choose to pay grants to businesses outside of these areas, according to local economic need, so long as the grants are aimed at:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Businesses with ongoing fixed building-related costs</li><li>Businesses which can demonstrate that they have suffered a significant fall in income due to the Covid-19 crisis</li><li>Business with fewer than 50 employees</li><li>Businesses that were trading on or before 11<sup>th</sup> March</li></ul><p> </p><p>Businesses which are not eligible for any of the grants schemes should be able to benefit from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including:</p><p> </p><ul><li>An option to defer VAT payments by up to twelve months;</li><li>The Bounce Back Loan scheme, which will ensure that small and micro businesses can quickly access loans of up to £50,000 which are 100% guaranteed by the Government;</li><li>The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, now extended to cover all businesses including those which would be able to access commercial credit;</li><li>The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage bills.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 11/05/2020 07:59:09 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1191012

registered interest
date	28/04/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on businesses of staff (a) accruing paid holiday entitlement and (b) increasing their length of service while furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	41047
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, almost all workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks annual leave, which should be paid as if workers were still at work and working. Annual leave continues to accrue as long as the worker maintains their employment relationship with their employer, which is the case whilst an employee is on a period of furlough through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding length of service, a furlough period is a variation to a worker’s contract of employment. The contract of employment would continue and count towards continuous employment.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has been clear that employment rights remain unchanged under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Therefore, as holiday rights are unaffected by the scheme, and as being placed on furlough does not break the contract of employment, no assessment has been made.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 11/05/2020 16:27:40 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1190112

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Tourists: Compensation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions his department has had with representatives of the travel and tourism industry on compensating holidaymakers that (a) no longer wish to and (b) are unable to travel following the outbreak of covid-19.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	39603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises the extremely difficult circumstances consumers and many businesses are currently facing. BEIS officials have held regular discussions with travel and tourism sector representatives, travel businesses and consumer advocacy bodies to assess the impact of cancellations made in light of the covid-19 outbreak.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 05/05/2020 10:16:10 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1190170

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Statutory Sick Pay: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to offer additional financial support, beyond Statutory Sick Pay, to front-line staff who are self-isolating as a result of covid-19.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	39628
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/05/2020 answer text <p>Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has been extended to those in self-isolation, those in the same household caring for those in self-isolation, and shielders. For people self-isolating as a result of COVID-19, SSP is now payable from the first day of sickness, rather than the fourth. It is important to note that Statutory Sick Pay is the minimum amount an employee is entitled to, but many people receive much more, with over half of employees receiving more than the statutory minimum. This is true for front-line staff; for example, NHS staff on the national Agenda for Change contract, whose sick pay is usually calculated only using their basic salary, will be paid sick pay as though they are working for the duration of the pandemic if they are off sick with COVID-19. This aims to ensure that NHS staff on Agenda for Change receive ‘full’ sick pay.</p><p> </p><p>Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is available for people unable to work because they are ill with COVID-19 or self-isolating according to Government advice. This is now available from the first day of sickness, rather than the eighth.</p><p> </p><p>To support those on low incomes who may need to rely on the welfare system, the Government has announced a significant package of temporary measures. This includes a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element and a nearly £1bn increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants. Taken together, these measures and those announced at Budget provide over £6.5bn additional support through the welfare system for people affected by Covid-19. These changes will benefit all new and existing claimants. Anyone can check their eligibility and apply for Universal Credit by visiting https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 04/05/2020 13:47:21 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1189281

registered interest
date	22/04/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Maternity Leave: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of offering a three month paid extension to maternity leave in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	38916
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2020 answer text <p>Maternity Leave and Pay are provided to enable employed women to take time off work in the later stages of their pregnancy and after they have given birth.</p><p> </p><p>The UK’s Maternity Leave offer is already amongst the most generous in the World – up to 52 weeks of leave are available, 39 weeks of which are paid – and we currently have no plans to extend it.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 30/04/2020 13:25:01 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1188896

registered interest
date	21/04/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration Removal Centres: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) prevent the transmission of covid-19 in immigration removal centres and (b) protect (i) staff and (ii) detainees in those centres from that infection.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	38487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2020 answer text <p>The safety and health of people in the detention estate is of the utmost importance. The Home Office is following all Public Health England and Health Protection Scotland guidance on COVID-19 and have robust contingency plans in place.</p><p> </p><p>Measures such as protective isolation are considered on a case by case basis to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the immigration detention estate. Further measures including shielding, single occupancy rooms and the cessation of social visits have been introduced in line with the Government direction on social distancing. Appropriate personal protective equipment is available to contractor and healthcare staff when interacting with detainees being held in isolation.</p><p> </p><p>Handwashing facilities are available in all immigration removal centres and we are working closely with suppliers to ensure we have a continuous supply of soap and cleaning materials. In addition, each centre has posters and leaflets to inform detainees about the importance of handwashing and social distancing to minimise the risk from COVID-19. Detainees are also able to speak to staff directly for advice on the measures in place.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 29/04/2020 15:36:55 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1188335

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Tourism: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to provide financial support to businesses in the travel and tourism industry facing cash flow difficulties as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	37665
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>During this difficult time the Treasury recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on businesses, including important industries such as travel and tourism.</p><p> </p><p>That is why the Government has announced unprecedented support for individuals and businesses to protect against the current economic emergency. This includes a business rates holiday, grants to smaller businesses, and a package of government-backed and guaranteed loans through the Coronavirus Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS). Together these schemes ensure almost all viable UK businesses can apply for a government backed loan.</p><p> </p><p>Travel and tourism industries can further benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The government will not be able to protect every single job or save every single business, but these measures will support millions of families, businesses and self-employed people to get through this and emerge on the other side both stronger and more united.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 27/04/2020 13:22:26 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1188337

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Small Businesses: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to support the owners of small, limited businesses who are eligible for limited financial support during the covid-19 outbreak due to receiving much of their usual income in dividends.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	37666
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>Those who pay themselves a salary through their own company may be eligible to claim for 80% of usual monthly wage costs, up to £2,500 a month, through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including personal service companies, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible.</p><p> </p><p>Income from dividends is a return on investment in the company, rather than wages, and is not eligible for support. Under current reporting mechanisms it is not possible for HM Revenue and Customs to distinguish between dividends derived from an individual’s own company and dividends from other sources, and between dividends in lieu of employment income and as returns from other corporate activity. Expanding the scope would require HMRC to collect and verify new information. This would take longer to deliver and put at risk the other schemes which the Government is committed to delivering as quickly as possible.</p><p> </p><p>Individuals who are not eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme might be able to access the other support Government is providing, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the deferral of tax payments. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at <a href="http://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/" target="_blank">www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/</a></p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 37773 38005 38006 38022 question first answered 28/04/2020 16:18:02 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1188358

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Security Guards: Key Workers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans his Department has to add security officers responsible for ensuring the safety of buildings and their contents to the list of key workers during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	37667
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>Our message to the British public is clear: stay at home, in order to protect the NHS and save lives. The position remains, as outlined on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">gov.uk</a>, that everyone who can work from home should do so.</p><p>Where that is not possible, people should go into work where it is safe and they are not symptomatic, isolating or shielding. Relevant guidance including from Public Health England should be followed.</p><p>In terms of the provision of education for the children of certain key workers, it is already the case that security officers and private security workers working in, for example, hospitals and social care could be eligible as long as &quot;their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service&quot;. This is set out here - <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision</a></p><p>The Government has placed restrictions on the operations of certain businesses as part of the strategy to ensure people stay at home and away from others. Separate guidance has been published on this and is also available on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">gov.uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 37698 question first answered 27/04/2020 09:46:29 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1188392

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that businesses only grant their employees furlough according to Government guidance during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	37668
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme forms part of a collective national effort to protect people’s jobs.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC will check claims made through the scheme. Payments may be withheld or need to be repaid in full to HMRC if the claim is based on dishonest or inaccurate information or found to be fraudulent.</p><p> </p><p>The Government expect the vast majority of employers to do the right thing, but HMRC reserve the right to follow up on claims and take whatever action is necessary if people abuse the CJRS scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Fraudulent claims risk the provision of public services and the protection of livelihoods. Employees can play a vital role by reporting fraudulent claims to HMRC: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/customs-excise-and-vat-fraud-reporting" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/customs-excise-and-vat-fraud-reporting</a></p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 28/04/2020 16:42:51 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis