Extract from Lords repeat of Commons statement on Covid-19 Update - June 15
Wednesday, 16 June 2021 08:25
Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate (Non-Afl) [V]: My Lords, in this
pandemic, as always, the difficult judgment that has to be made is
between lives and livelihoods. Decisions have been taken to protect
lives by retaining the existing measures for a further month. The
Minister will no doubt appreciate that I and other noble Lords have
been extensively lobbied by musicians independent workers in the
hospitality and entertainment sectors, who have fallen through the
cracks with no support. Does he...Request free trial
(Non-Afl) [V]: My Lords, in this
pandemic, as always, the difficult judgment that has to be made is
between lives and livelihoods. Decisions have been taken to protect
lives by retaining the existing measures for a further month. The
Minister will no doubt appreciate that I and other noble Lords have
been extensively lobbied by musicians independent workers in the
hospitality and entertainment sectors, who have fallen through the
cracks with no support. Does he not agree that it is reasonable to
argue that an equitable balance now would be to provide targeted
financial support to those self-employed and freelance workers who
have not had a fair deal throughout this crisis?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
and Social Care () (Con): My Lords,
having worked in the music industry for 15 years, I absolutely
identify with the challenge he describes. However, I remind him
that we have been emphatically forthcoming in trying to support
workers through this difficult pandemic. We have provided £70
billion for the furlough scheme and £33 billion for the
self-employment income support scheme, which would touch many of
the musicians to whom he refers. We have
stepped forward financially in a very big way and will continue to
do so until the end of this awful situation.
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