Thank you to those constituents who have been in
touch asking for my support for a Coronavirus Emergency Income Support Scheme.
Coronavirus is the biggest challenge the UK has
faced in decades – and we are not alone. All over the world we are seeing the
devastating impact of this disease.
There are already a wide range of measures of
support available, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) and
Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) as well as enhancements to existing
welfare benefits, including increasing Universal Credit (UC) and Working Tax
Credit by £1,000 a year and providing Statutory Sick Pay to anyone who falls
ill, or has to self-isolate, due to coronavirus from day one. If you are not
eligible to receive sick pay, for example because you have lost your job, you
can apply for Universal Credit (UC) and/or apply for contributory Employment
and Support Allowance (ESA).
10,000 staff at the Department for Work and
Pensions have already begun redeploying to frontline roles to support new
claims, and while the system has faced additional pressures, such as longer
than usual online queues, they are working around the clock to ensure people
can get the support they are entitled to, with no need to attend a jobcentre in
person.
The government has also provided nearly £1 billion
of support for renters and introducing a three-month mortgage holiday for those
in difficulty due to coronavirus and have given over £500 million to local
authorities to expand their hardship fund in addition to the £1.6 billion in
funding to enable them to respond to other COVID-19 pressures across all the
services they deliver, including stepping up support for the adult social care
workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless
people. Charities across the UK are also receiving a £750 million package of
support to ensure they can continue their vital work during the coronavirus
outbreak.
The Chancellor has
taken on board feedback regarding the JRS and SEISS. I and my colleagues have
personally raised examples of those cases where people have ‘fallen through the
gaps’ of these schemes but I think it is important to bear in mind these
schemes have been developed and implemented within just a few short weeks and
therefore may fall short of what we would perfectly want to see as a result.
They are the best compromise that can be found in the circumstances and the
Chancellor is continuing to review the scheme, having already made changes to
capture a significant number who originally were unable to access it. This includes
the revised cut-off date for furlough and recent extension to both schemes.
These schemes are some
of the most generous schemes of their kind in the world, however I recognise
that there will be circumstances under which not every single individual is
helped. This is unfortunately the nature of something on this scale. There is
also a careful balance between ensuring it can be accessed by as many people as
possible, but not open to fraudulent claims or misuse.
It is important to bear in mind we have a welfare
system that already exists to support the most vulnerable which has seen
significant uplifts, as I have already outlined, and many of the suggested
measures in this campaign have already been implemented prior to the campaign’s
inception. For example, the Local Housing Allowance will now cover at least 30
per cent of market rents in local areas. This increase will mean the majority
of people in receipt of housing support in the Private Rented Sector will see
their housing support increase.
The welfare system was redesigned in recent years
to ensure that working pays more than the welfare system, unless there are
significant and exceptional circumstances. For example, the benefit cap will
not apply for many vulnerable families such as those in receipt of Personal
Independent Payments (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Carer’s
Allowance. Families who are in work and earning are also not subject to the cap
and anyone receiving UC who due to a health condition or disability is not able
to work is also exempt. The full list of who is not affected is available
online. Help is also available for families who are struggling through the
packages of support already outlined, as well as hardship funds which were
available to those in need before this outbreak.
Each country have taken a different approach to
providing financial support through the COVID-19 crisis. The UK’s coronavirus
aid package is the second most generous in Europe, and one of the most generous
when compared globally.
The government will continue to do everything we
can to ensure people can pay their bills and put food on the table.
I believe that we have a system and package of
support that is working to assist the most vulnerable people, providing support
to as many people as possible whilst also preventing the risk of fraudulent
claims, through this very challenging period. For any constituents who are
experiencing difficulties, please do get in touch with me via office@stevedouble.org.uk as my
team and I are here to assist you.
