CENTRAL DEVON MP Mel Stride, Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak urging him to set out what action he will take to help those who aren’t eligible for HM Treasury’s support measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic. While acknowledging the huge amount of support the Government is providing to both employers and employees, Mr Stride highlighted the plight of a minority of people who have found themselves ineligible for support.
Mr Stride said:
“Significant progress has been made and millions of people will be helped by the Government’s schemes, but some people have slipped through the net including very hard-pressed businesses in Devon many of whom have been in touch with me directly. Whether it’s those who started a job after 28 February and who therefore have real difficulty qualifying for the Job Retention Scheme, or those who draw down some of their income through dividends, or the time it will take for payments to reach individuals and businesses, urgent action is needed.”
Current help for employees includes The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which means employees can receive 80% of their wages and The Coronavirus Self Employment Income Support Scheme which will provide a grant to most self-employed individuals or partnerships worth 80% of their profits (both up to £2,500 a month).
