The Treasury contends that both these limits compare well internationally and were more generous than small business lobby groups asked for when the scheme was conceived last April. However I still believe that the Government AND the Treasury that whilst sat looking at hundreds of fiscal dashboards on the economy really haven’t got a clue how much and what small businesses actually bring to the UK economy.
But it is absolutely undeniable that there are significant tragic cases of taxpayers denied this type of support. No-one is asking for the world, but hard working small business owners just want a fair shake when it comes to support.
There are “cliff edges” where eligibility for the generous grant simply stops. There are no tapers involved, because the government says that would make the scheme too complicated, (probably for them and not us).
The clearest example of an intervention suggested by the IFS that would help those on modest incomes is to lower the 50:50 rule at the cost of £500m to £800m per quarter.
Overall the government has put together, at speed, a previously unheard of package of support for workers, no doubt about it. And I said earlier I’m not throwing a temper tantrum personally, I’ve put my ‘big boy’ pants on and fought tooth and nail to do what I need to do to keep the lights on.
Some of that support has gone to those that don’t need it and, as a result, lines were drawn that have left some in need on the wrong side.
The government will continue to face pressure to extend these generous support packages. Let’s hope someone, somewhere is watching and actually take action before the budget.