Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill
demanding a review into the impact of the Government's decision
to exclude millions of workers from income support.
The amendment, up for selection on Monday (24th May), calls on
the Government to carry out a review of its income support
schemes within three months.
It specifies that the review should assess the impact on limited
company directors and other categories of self-employed people,
who have largely been excluded from financial support.
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Treasury, ,
said:
"It really is time that this Government stopped ignoring the
plight of millions of taxpayers who have been excluded from vital
financial support in this pandemic.
"Taxi drivers, make-up artists, florists and many more have found
themselves left out of Government income support schemes.
"Liberal Democrats are clear that the Government should act
immediately to provide the financial support these people so
desperately need. We are calling for a review into the impact of
the Government’s lack of support for the excluded, which will lay
bare the consequences of their poor decision and, we hope, prompt
them into finally taking action."
ENDS.
Notes to Editor
The amendment in full
To move the following Clause--
NC26: “Review of coronavirus job support
schemes
1) The Chancellor of the Exchequer must lay before Parliament
within three months of the passing of this Act a report on the
impact of sections 31 to 33 of this Act.
2) The report must consider the effects of the following two
scenarios:
a) the coronavirus job retention scheme and the self-employment
income support scheme are continued until 30th September 2021,
and
b) the coronavirus job retention scheme and self-employment
income support scheme are continued until 31st December 2021, and
the following categories of workers are made eligible for the
schemes:
i) limited company directors,
ii) self-employed workers earning more than 50% of their income
from employment, and
iii) self-employed workers with profits over £50,000.
(3) A review under this section must consider the effects of the
provisions on:
a) employment,
b) GDP growth,
c) personal debt, and
d) poverty.”
