Economic Update

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 7:17 pm on 17 March 2020.

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Photo of Kevan Jones Kevan Jones Labour, North Durham 7:17, 17 March 2020

Yesterday, the Government announced measures for the hospitality industry. Businesses are laying off people today, throughout the country and certainly in County Durham, where I have spoken to businesses this afternoon. It is clear that the Chancellor does not have a clue how ordinary people live. They do not have access to savings and they do not have access to trust funds or independent wealth; they rely on what comes in each week. I urge him very strongly either to ensure that benefits are paid from day one, or to bring in some system that allows the Government to subsidise wages directly for some small businesses.