John Baron MP presses Treasury over post-covid measures

MP says Treasury should think strategically

At Treasury Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon, John Baron MP said,

“The Government’s economic support packages have been some of the most generous anywhere, and essential ‘sticking plasters’ from which many of our constituents have benefitted. But given Covid may be with us some time, and given the economy is in transition, may I encourage the Government to think more strategically and perhaps draw lessons from, for example, Margaret Thatcher’s Enterprise Allowance Scheme which helped hundreds of thousands of people, over some years, transition from unemployment to self-employment.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, said John made an excellent point, and that entrepreneurship will play an important part in our recovery. The Chancellor undertook to consider the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, but also pointed out the Startup Loans Scheme helps budding entrepreneurs will support as they start out.

John said afterwards,

“I am pleased the Chancellor is thinking strategically as our economy recovers from the coronavirus shock, as such situations demand. Whilst in due course we will rebound strongly from the damage caused by the pandemic, the economy will not quite be the same as before, and the Government should be prepared to take the bold steps necessary to ensure we remain fit for the future.”