PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Economic Situation: Coronavirus (17 July 2020)

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government delivered one of the most generous and comprehensive packages of economic support globally, protecting people’s incomes and supporting businesses.

The Government has since set out a phased, cautious approach to reopening our economy to minimise the risk of a second peak of the virus, and has produced COVID-19 secure practical guidelines to support businesses to reopen and for workers to feel confident, safe and empowered to return to work. Public Health England, the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS Test and Trace constantly monitor levels of infection across the country, and will work with local authorities to implement additional measures if needed.

On 8 July the Chancellor set out a package of measures to support jobs across the UK, including a Job Retention Bonus to help firms keep furloughed workers and a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people. The Chancellor has announced support for those sectors hardest hit, with a £1.57 billion package for the arts, and a cut in VAT to 5% for accommodation, attractions and the hospitality sector.