AQW 9759/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 05/11/2020
Answered On Date: 03/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) to detail the rationale for applicants to the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme to derive more than 50% of their income from businesses required to close or cease trading; and (ii) whether she will consider removing this threshold to support individuals who rely on multiple sources of income.

Answer:

The inclusion of the eligibility criteria that income lost as a result from businesses closed or that have ceased trading must be the main source of income (more than 50% of income) mitigates against the risk of significant overpayments to applicants whose lost revenue makes up a small proportion of their overall income.

In order to ensure value for money and the efficient use of public funds, it is essential that support is targeted at those who need it most. On this basis, no changes to the scheme criteria are under consideration.