PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Self-employed and Small Businesses: Government Assistance (28 April 2020)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses set up under the European Community Ankara Agreement visa are eligible to access financial support packages provided by the Government for small businesses, freelance and self-employed workers.

Asked by:
Feryal Clark (Labour)

The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including an initial £330 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Our current support measures are well-targeted at the businesses and individuals who most need support, bearing in mind the need to act very quickly to deliver this unprecedented package.

Businesses and businesspersons operating in the UK under the terms of the European Community Ankara Agreement (ECAA) are eligible for this support which includes:

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
• The Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
• Rebates for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for SMEs
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
• The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL) for SMEs
• VAT deferral for up to 12 months
• The Time To Pay scheme, through which businesses and self-employed individuals in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs
• Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-payment until June 30, 2020

The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support.

Details of the range of support for individuals affected by COVID-19 is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19.

Answered by:
John Glen (Conservative)
4 May 2020