PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Directors: Coronavirus (20 January 2021)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the proposed directors income support scheme in the context of Northern Ireland’s limited company directors support scheme.

Asked by:
Esther McVey (Conservative)

The Government recognises that taxpayers have faced immense challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has prioritised targeting support to those who most need it as quickly as possible, while guarding against the risk of fraud or abuse.

The Government welcomes constructive proposals from stakeholders to improve the design of its COVID-19 business support measures, including the suggestion of a Directors Income Support Scheme (DISS). The Government has been reviewing this proposal.

Company directors who pay themselves a salary through PAYE are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Directors also have access to Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/.

Answered by:
Jesse Norman (Conservative)
26 January 2021