Contributions
3,765 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThe EconomyDifferent countries have done things in very different ways. The hon. Gentleman talked about the US; the US has no equivalent of our furlough scheme, which is probably the most…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyAs I hope I have demonstrated over the past six to eight weeks, I am always open to new ideas, whether at home or abroad. I have constantly sought to refine, to improve, to…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyMay I welcome the shadow Chancellor to her place, and thank her for the constructive dialogue that I have had with her over the past two or so weeks? Let me address her questions…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThe most important economic policy at the moment is to maintain the productive capacity of the UK economy during a period of shutdown. Our interventions are designed to preserve…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThe Prime Minister has been completely clear in his commitment to free trade; it is an important part of what we believe. It is also right, especially during this time, that we…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThis is why it is so vital that we get the timing absolutely right. We are not there yet, as the Prime Minister said. We have made good progress but we are all concerned about the…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyI agree with my right hon. Friend that, of course, the economic damage that is happening at the moment is severe, which is why we have taken the unprecedented measures that we…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyI thank my right hon. Friend for her comments; having held the positions that she has had in Government, she knows better than most the importance of business to our economy and…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThe right hon. Gentleman mentioned groups that I engaged with specifically in the design of the self-employed scheme, and who I am fairly certain released reasonably positive…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThe hon. Member is absolutely right. I am striving to make the process as seamless and as quick as possible. We made some improvements a couple of weeks ago—removing guarantees…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyI am happy to look at the specific situation the hon. Gentleman raises, although I would caution that it is difficult to make changes to these schemes. As many Members have said,…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyAs ever, my hon. Friend makes excellent and informed points on economic policy. I thank him for his support as well. He is absolutely right. I share with him, as does the Prime…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyMy hon. Friend is well informed on these issues. I know he has put a lot of specific thought into this topic, and I welcome further engagement with him. He is right. We must think…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyAs we have demonstrated, we are prepared to support critical transportation services in this country, with huge economic intervention in rail, in buses and, as the hon. Gentleman…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyAt this point, it is very difficult to make changes to the operation of these schemes; that would just delay further payment. For those workers who have fluctuating wages—for…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyWhen we announced the job retention scheme, I said that it would apply to those who were known to HMRC on 28 February. That was how the scheme was designed and set up. Over the…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyRather than commenting on monetary policy, which it is obviously not my place to do, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we are determined, as I have said, to preserve as much of…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyI thank the hon. Lady for her constructive engagement with me and others as we go through this difficult time. With regard to helping the most vulnerable, we have put several…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThe hon. Member is absolutely right that companies in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector are the hardest hit during this crisis. Of course, they can avail themselves of…27 Apr 2020HANSARDThe EconomyThank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to update the House on our economic response to the coronavirus. Let me say at the outset that I am grateful to Members from…27 Apr 2020