Labour has today called for “much greater transparency” on the implementation and effectiveness of the government’s schemes to support the economy, businesses and jobs during the coronavirus crisis.
Labour Leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds have demanded daily updates and the publication of figures on the performance of each of the government’s coronavirus schemes to ensure that these measures are implemented effectively and deliver support to all businesses and people who need it.
The request for daily updates includes figures and data on:
- The number of applications for loans and loans issued under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme;
- The number of new claims for Job-Seeker’s Allowance, New-Style Job-Seeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit, including the number of advance payments made to claimants;
- The number of grants issued under the Small Business Grant Fund and the Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund;
- The number of claims received for furloughed employees and grants made under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme when it is operational;
- The number of claims received and grants given under the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme when it is operational;
- The number of claims received and grants given under the Self-employment Income Support Scheme when it is operational.
The request for greater transparency and daily updates comes amid growing concerns about the implementation, uptake and performance of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and before the roll out of the vital Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-employment Income Support Scheme and the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme.