AQW 5153/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 23/06/2020
Answered On Date: 27/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she intends to bring a funding proposal to the Minister of Finance concerning a qualified support package for the haulage industry, to assist those facing extreme hardship in light of financial pressures experienced as a result of COVID-19.

Answer:

I am aware of the hardship faced by businesses across the economy, including the haulage sector, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, regulation and policy for haulage is the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure. I will continue to work with my Executive colleagues to consider what further support we can provide as we seek to make our economic recovery. Any decisions on funding of further business support measures, and the respective employment and business sectors within these, will require Executive agreement.

My Department has launched two support schemes, for which hauliers were eligible to apply, subject to the eligibility criteria being met. The £10,000 Small Business Support Grant Scheme was available to businesses in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or Industrial derating. The NI Microbusiness Hardship Fund provided up to £10,000 of support to businesses that employ between one and nine employees via PAYE. Further details of the schemes are available at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/coronavirus.

Hauliers are able to avail of UK-wide schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and other local measures including the non-domestic rates holiday. Details of the all business support schemes are available at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/coronavirus.