Gaps in Support APPG calls for evidence in Government Support Schemes inquiry

The Gaps in Support All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has launched an inquiry into how people across the United Kingdom have been affected by the UK Government’s Coronavirus Support Schemes. 

The Gaps in Support APPG, which has become the largest of its kind with 261 Members of Parliament from across the country, are calling for evidence to understand and quantify how many people may have fallen through the gaps in Government financial support during the pandemic. Based on the findings from the inquiry the APPG will then make recommendations to Parliament.

The Group believes that many of the schemes that have been introduced in recent months continually exclude and leave behind a multitude of groups that are repeatedly not eligible for support. 

The RYA would like to encourage members from across the boating community, such as self-employed instructors, clubs and recognised training centres, that have not been eligible for support or who have received very limited support from the Government to share their experiences with the Gaps in Support APPG.  

Mandy Peters, RYA Legal Manager, commented: “The RYA will be submitting evidence to this Inquiry and engaging directly with the MPs involved in the APPG however, we would urge all of the businesses that have fallen through the gaps of support from Government to utilise this opportunity to also submit their own evidence. It is important that individuals and organisations outline how they feel they have been excluded and illustrate the detrimental impact that this has had or may have on their business over the coming months.

“The RYA look forward to theoutcome of this inquiry and hope that there will be an acknowledgement of thedisparity in support for many of the businesses involved.”

The Gaps in Support APPG are requesting evidence from the following:

• new starters who started a new job after the furlough scheme cut-off date
• people who were denied furlough
• newly self-employed people
• people who fell in the category of the 50/50 rule (where your self-employed work represents less than 50% of your income)
• PAYE freelancers
• small Ltd company directors
• Sole trader earning over £50,000 a year who cannot access the Self Employment Income Support Scheme
• those on parental leave and seeking support from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme SEISS
• specific payments (bereavement, one-time pension, carer’s allowance, redundancy, etc.)
• annual PAYE (company unable to furlough themselves/employees)
• people on maternity/paternity leave and have been excluded from government support
• anyone else who has fallen through the gaps in government pandemic financial support

Currently there is no published closing date for submitting evidence. 

For more information or to contribute to the inquiry, visit the Gaps in Support APPG website.