What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government on extending the job retention scheme?
We have consistently pressed the UK Government to maintain this scheme to support business and individuals to continue to deal with the effects of the pandemic. We have been consistently clear that this, and other interventions, should not be withdrawn before the economy is ready.
A Finance Ministers’ Quadrilateral is expected to take place in July, as a result of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Finance and Local Government’s urgent request for a meeting to build on the commitments made at the Covid Recovery Summit that all four nations work together to support economic recovery. Key items for discussion will be the future of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and managing volatility around in-year budgets, the Barnett guarantee, the UK Spending Review and levelling up of the economy.
While the development of vaccines has inspired cause for hope and optimism, it is clear that the impacts of the pandemic will continue for some time to come, and we will continue to press the UK Government to support individuals and businesses for as long as is needed.