John Baron MP welcomes Chancellor’s business measures but raises further questions

MP: A real risk the elderly and vulnerable may be overlooked

In welcoming the Chancellor’s £330 billion support package for businesses, in the House of Commons yesterday evening John Baron MP raised the importance of cashflow and again highlighted the risk that elderly and vulnerable people, especially those living alone, may be inadvertently overlooked.

In the House of Commons, John asked,

“I commend the Chancellor for this package of measures as far as they go, and we understand that it is a moving narrative, but I particularly urge him to focus on the importance of cash flow when it comes to smaller businesses and the self-employed.”

“However, can I raise with him a group of people who so far have not been mentioned, which is the elderly and the vulnerable who live alone? There is a real risk in a situation such as this that they get inadvertently overlooked, and we need to reach out to them. Would the Chancellor consider providing appropriate support for local authorities to do just that – to identify them, locate them and make contact, because no one should be left behind?”

The Chancellor responded that he is engaging with the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government and the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care to support these groups.

Afterwards, John said,

“With this new package the Government is moving in the right direction in supporting businesses, along with their employees and families, during these uncertain times. However, I would like to see greater focus on how the current situation will affect smaller businesses and the self-employed.”

“I continue to be concerned that the elderly and vulnerable who live alone may be overlooked, and will be closely following how the Government ensures that these people are not left behind as we all dig in to resolve the current crisis.”