Stephen Morgan MP intervened again in Parliament today to ensure concerns of the ‘Excluded’ on Government financial support schemes are heard.
The ‘Excluded’ are commonly understood as the 3.1 million taxpayers who have been exempt from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Job Retention Schemes.
The Portsmouth South representative has received a large number of messages from his constituents voicing their fears for the future, due to their exemption from Government support, aside from social security. Today’s action follows a string of efforts to stand up for those affected in the city.
A recent survey from the ExcludedUK group found that 57% of the 3,000 surveyed were on less than 20% of their pre-Covid income and 70% felt they had been emotionally impacted.
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, said:
“People in Portsmouth and across the country have been left by the wayside by this government, as the Chancellor continues to stubbornly pursue his scattergun policy.
“The official opposition and myself have consistently argued for a targeted approach to jobs and businesses, not this one-size-fits-all approach.”
Portsmouth’s economy rebounded in Q3 of this year, but lost momentum towards the end of the quarter.
The city MP has met with campaigners, joined an all-party group to find solutions and lobbied Government with questions and correspondence with Ministers.
Today’s Westminster Hall debate continued to call on Government to finally find a solution 9 months after the pandemic.
Mr Morgan, added:
“In Portsmouth we have continuing to feel the impacts of this misguided strategy by Government to exclude so many. Ministers must find a solution to support these jobs and livelihoods.
“I have received messages from a number of my constituents sharing their serious concerns over how they will be able to support themselves and their families through this winter period and beyond.
“It is critically important the Chancellor rethinks this approach and gives the country’s people and economy the support it truly requires.”
Stephen Morgan MP has consistently called on the government to support the economy and protect local jobs, particularly those in creative and hospitality industries, or sectors with large numbers of self-employed workers.
