Treasury Committee renews call for government to fill ‘significant gaps’ in support offered by CJRS and SEISS

Committee also argues that, despite extension of CJRS, case remains for Chancellor to 'carefully consider' targeted support for sectors hardest hit by coronavirus

The Treasury Committee has renewed its call for the government to fill the 'significant gaps' in the support offered by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Commenting on the publication today of the government's response to the Committee's second report on the economic impact of the coronavirus (published in September 2020), Committee Chair Mel Stride said -

'Whilst many things have changed since we published our report in September, including the development of vaccines, many of our recommendations remain.

The end date for the CJRS has been pushed back by up to five months, but the case remains that the Chancellor should carefully consider targeted support to sectors hardest hit by the restrictions put in place to combat coronavirus.'

In addition, Mr Stride said that the Committee remains disappointed that the government has not implemented the recommendation from its first report on the economic impact of coronavirus (published in June 2020) to help those who have fallen through the gaps in the support provided by the CJRS and SEISS - including freelancers, the newly self-employed and directors of limited companies - adding that -

'The government must act to mitigate these significant gaps in support.'

For more information, see Treasury Committee publishes Government response to second economic impact of coronavirus report from parliament.uk