The impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Mar 2020 Closed: 19 May 2021 Parliament page
Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry .
12 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
58 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 68 events
9 Feb
2022
Correspondence
25 Jan
2022
Correspondence
13 Jan
2022
Correspondence
16 Dec
2021
Correspondence
13 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
19 May
2021
Report published
16 Mar
2021
Correspondence
4 Mar
2021
Correspondence
26 Feb
2021
Report published
4 Feb
2021
Correspondence
4 Feb
2021
Correspondence
2 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
13 Jul 2021
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Impact of Covid 19; Downstream Oil Resilience Bill
Ghislaine Halpenny · British Property Federation Helen Dickinson OBE · British Retail Consortium Kate Nicholls OBE · UKHospitality Mark Prouse · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Paul Stevens · Chatham House Peter Davidson · Tank Storage Association
2 Feb 2021
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Oral evidence session; oral evidence session
Chris O'Shea · Centrica Justin Bowden · GMB Union Matthew Taylor · Good Work Review Mike Brewer · Resolution Foundation Rob Joyce · Institute for Fiscal Studies Tim Sharp · Trades Union Congress (TUC)
17 Nov 2020
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Impact on businesses; Impact on workers
Dr Sonali Joshi · ExcludedUK Helen Dickinson OBE · British Retail Consortium Henry Chango Lopez · Independent Workers Union of Great Britain Humphrey Cobbold · PureGym Kate Nicholls · UKHospitality Mike Brewer · Resolution Foundation Mike Cherry OBE · Federation of Small Businesses Paul Fleming · Equity Ralph Findlay · Marston's PLC Tony Dale · Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
18 Jun 2020
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Issues facing the workforce
Christine Payne · Equity Gary Smith · GMB Scotland Mike Clancy · Prospect Steve Turner · Unite Tony Dale · Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
4 Jun 2020
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Manufacturing; Electricity and gas supply
Audrey Gallacher · Energy UK Fintan Slye · National Grid ESO Gareth Stace · UK Steel Gillian Cooper · Citizens Advice Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem Mike Hawes · Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Paul Everitt · ADS Group Paul Everitt · ADS Stephen Phipson CBE · Make UK
14 May 2020
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Coming out of lockdown; Oral Evidence
Dr Adam Kucharski Paul Nowak · Trades Union Congress Professor David Heymann Sue Davies · Which? Tej Parikh · Institute of Directors
30 Apr 2020
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The impact of Coronavirus on businesses and workers
Adam Marshall · British Chambers of Commerce Andrew Goodacre · The British Independent Retailers Association Helen Dickinson OBE · British Retail Consortium Martin McTague · Federation of Small Businesses Melanie Leech CBE · British Property Federation Philip King · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
17 Mar 2020
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Alasdair Hutchison · Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-employed Martin McTague · Federation of Small Businesses Paul Nowak · Trades Union Congress Rain Newton-Smith · Confederation of British Industry
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The impact of Coronavirus on businesses and work… HC 1264 26 Feb 2021 20 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
20 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We commend the Government for moving quickly at the start of the pandemic to implement...
We commend the Government for moving quickly at the start of the pandemic to implement novel and wide-ranging financial support schemes. We welcome these measures, which have delivered unprecedented levels of financial support to individuals and have shielded vast numbers … Read more
Government Response
The government thanked the committee for the report and acknowledged the challenging circumstances of the pandemic, reiterating its role in providing unprecedented financial support measures for businesses.
Department for Business and Trade
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2 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
Whilst we welcome the overall level of support offered, we are disappointed that the Government...
Whilst we welcome the overall level of support offered, we are disappointed that the Government has repeatedly chosen not to adapt and refine its support to address identified gaps in coverage. It is unacceptable that 11 months into the pandemic … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged concerns about gaps in support and stated it has taken steps, including amending CJRS and SEISS eligibility for specific groups like parents and reservists, and outlined further support announced in the Spring Budget 2021, though it recognized some hard cases still didn't qualify.
Department for Business and Trade
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3 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
The Committee accepts that there are some groups who have been at a comparative disadvantage,...
The Committee accepts that there are some groups who have been at a comparative disadvantage, such as those remunerated by dividends. The Government has cited administrative difficulties and the risk of fraud. The Government should consider solutions put forward on … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to consider solutions for distinguishing dividend income, stating they have engaged with proposals but found them not viable due to administrative difficulties, lack of data, and the risk of fraud with self-certification.
Department for Business and Trade
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4 Conclusion Rejected
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We welcome that many individuals who have not been able to access furlough or SEISS...
We welcome that many individuals who have not been able to access furlough or SEISS will have had support through Universal Credit, discretionary grants from local authorities, and mortgage and consumer credit holidays. However, we are disappointed by the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges that some individuals did not qualify for support but reiterates its scheme design principles, including targeting support and protecting against fraud and abuse, without committing to address the identified gaps or re-evaluate its justifications.
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We are also concerned that gaps in support appear to have fallen disproportionately on particular...
We are also concerned that gaps in support appear to have fallen disproportionately on particular sectors, such as the creative industries. Further Government action is required to support those sectors of the economy.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges and details additional support for creative industries, including £300 million for the Culture Recovery Fund, an extension of the Film & TV Production Restart Scheme, and £300 million for the Sport Recovery Package.
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We recommend that the Government reviews the coverage of current support to make sure that...
We recommend that the Government reviews the coverage of current support to make sure that the greatest support is provided to those individuals facing most hardship, and that any gaps in provision are addressed. We expect the Chancellor to announce … Read more
Government Response
The government details various measures from the Spring Budget 2021, including targeted support through a turnover test for SEISS, new Restart Grants, additional discretionary business grants, and extensions to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit payments, to ensure support for those facing hardship.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We appreciate that not every job can be saved as the Chancellor has set out,...
We appreciate that not every job can be saved as the Chancellor has set out, but are nonetheless concerned about rising unemployment, which is particularly affecting women, BAME workers and young people because they are more likely to be employed … Read more
Government Response
The government responds to the committee's concern about premature withdrawal of support by detailing the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) until September, while also expanding eligibility for both schemes.
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We recommend the Government urgently produces an economic assessment which sets out the opportunities and...
We recommend the Government urgently produces an economic assessment which sets out the opportunities and risks posed by structural long-term changes to the economy from the combined impacts of COVID-19, Brexit, and the net zero transition. We welcome the publication … Read more
Government Response
The government responded by referencing its published 'Build Back Better: our plan for growth' and an upcoming 'Innovation Strategy', along with new bodies like the Build Back Better Business Council and NERT, as its comprehensive framework for addressing long-term economic changes and skill development.
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
This plan should form part of the Industrial Strategy to ensure our educational institutions, key...
This plan should form part of the Industrial Strategy to ensure our educational institutions, key business sectors, the workforce and broader economy are strategically geared towards achieving long-term goals such as the net zero transition, our aging society and the … Read more
Government Response
The government referenced its 'Build Back Better: our plan for growth' as the new framework integrating elements of the Industrial Strategy, along with an upcoming 'Innovation Strategy' and newly established councils and taskforces, to strategically achieve long-term economic goals.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We welcome the sheer scale of financial support the Government has provided to businesses since...
We welcome the sheer scale of financial support the Government has provided to businesses since March 2020. For many businesses, this support has allowed them to stay afloat during the pandemic. We also welcome the Business Rates Review announced in … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has already provided targeted support through measures like Restart Grants for specific sectors and the new Recovery Loan Scheme, asserting that this ensures support is more tailored as recommended by the Committee.
Department for Business and Trade
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We are particularly concerned for ‘bricks-and-mortar’ retail which is unable to compensate for physical closure,...
We are particularly concerned for ‘bricks-and-mortar’ retail which is unable to compensate for physical closure, as well as businesses such as those in the ‘live events’ industry which, though not legally forced to cease operations, have seen a collapse in … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing and new measures, such as the Restart Grants for hospitality and leisure sectors and the Recovery Loan Scheme, which they state are designed to provide more targeted support and address the concerns about certain industries.
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We recommend that if the Government returns to any form of tiered system or localised...
We recommend that if the Government returns to any form of tiered system or localised lockdowns, that financial support for business should reflect that.
Government Response
The government claims it has already flexed business grant support throughout the pandemic to reflect changing restrictions and is providing new targeted support like Restart Grants and the Recovery Loan Scheme, which they state will ensure support is more targeted as recommended.
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We expect the Government to respond to the pandemic with more nuanced and targeted policies...
We expect the Government to respond to the pandemic with more nuanced and targeted policies in future, and recommend that the Government uses the Budget to review the support it has offered to businesses and announce more targeted support aimed … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has already provided and continues to provide targeted support through measures like Restart Grants and the new Recovery Loan Scheme, which they claim ensures support is more targeted in line with the Committee's recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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14 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We have previously called on the Government to attach conditions to the use of taxpayer-funded...
We have previously called on the Government to attach conditions to the use of taxpayer-funded support and are disappointed that, on each occasion measures have been extended, the Government has failed to do this. We recommend that the Government reviews … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to combat fraud and claw back funds, committing over £100 million to a new Taxpayer Protection Taskforce with 1,265 HMRC staff. It will also strengthen law enforcement for Bounce Back Loans and continue to work with agencies to recover funds, though details of recovery and prosecution approaches will not be made public.
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
With the moratorium on commercial rent obligations due to expire soon, the Government does not...
With the moratorium on commercial rent obligations due to expire soon, the Government does not appear to be any closer to identifying or facilitating a long- term solution to the difficulties faced by landlords and commercial tenants. While many landlords … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines existing temporary tenant protection measures, including a voluntary Code of Practice, but does not identify or commit to developing a new long-term solution for commercial rent arrears beyond these expiring provisions.
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
The Government should use the time afforded by current time-limited support measures wisely to identify...
The Government should use the time afforded by current time-limited support measures wisely to identify long-term solutions. The Government should consider active measures to address the issue of growing commercial rent arrears, and proactively work with businesses, landlords, banks and … Read more
Government Response
The government described existing tenant protection measures and announced a Call for Evidence on commercial rents and COVID-19 to identify long-term solutions, including options for mediation or adjudication of rent disputes.
Department for Business and Trade
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17 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
Throughout the pandemic the Government has attached expiry dates to support measures, which have since...
Throughout the pandemic the Government has attached expiry dates to support measures, which have since been found to be premature. In most cases, the measures have ultimately ended up being extended, which is undoubtedly the correct decision. In the early … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to review current measures and continue supporting businesses, but does not commit to a specific long-term strategy or avoiding future 'cliff edges' as highlighted by the Committee.
Department for Business and Trade
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18 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
As of mid-February, with weeks to go before many support measures expire, the Government has...
As of mid-February, with weeks to go before many support measures expire, the Government has not yet set out which measures will be extended. We understand that the specific course of the pandemic is inherently uncertain, and new restrictions may … Read more
Government Response
The government provides a generic response stating it will continue to review current measures and support businesses, without offering the broad assurances or specific details on extensions that the committee hoped for.
Department for Business and Trade
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19 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
As more of the population is vaccinated, the Government must shift its policy- making approach...
As more of the population is vaccinated, the Government must shift its policy- making approach from reacting to rapidly changing circumstances towards long-term considerations. In his Budget, the Chancellor must give businesses and workers the security and certainty they need … Read more
Government Response
The government refers to its published 'Build Back Better: our plan for growth' as its long-term strategy for recovery. However, it rejects the suggestion to convert COVID loan debt into grants, advising businesses to discuss repayment options with their lenders.
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The impact of Coro…
We welcome the strong level of engagement between the Government and business in the early...
We welcome the strong level of engagement between the Government and business in the early months of the pandemic. The Government must be as open with the business sector as possible, particularly by providing reasonable notice and 24 The impact … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation for proactive and ongoing engagement with businesses and trade union leaders. It confirms plans to continue engagement, communicate changes with sufficient notice, and build feedback into policymaking as the economy recovers.
Department for Business and Trade
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Government Response AI assessment · 20 of 12 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 2
Total 12 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 58 letters
9 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State on estimates of fraud and error in Covid-19 Support Schemes
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25 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State on Covid-19 support schemes
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13 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State on support for businesses impacted by the spread of Omicron varient
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16 Dec 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State on financial support for businesses and workers
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16 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair regarding Covid passports and employment
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4 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State regarding COVID passports and employment
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4 Feb 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to Centrica regarding the evidence session on 2 February 2021
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4 Feb 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the GMB Union regarding the evidence session on 2 February 2021
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14 Jan 2021 To committee Letter from We Make Events to the Chair on businesses excluded from Government support
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16 Dec 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair on the impact of tiered restrictions and nationwide lockdowns
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20 Nov 2020 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State on impact of Covid on business workers
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23 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister to the Chair on the publication of loan-level information for CBILS and CLBILS
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25 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State in response to the Chairs letter on the impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers
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29 Jul 2020 Chair to Secretary of State on impact of Covid-19 on workers and businesses
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19 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister on automotive support
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18 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Hair and Beauty sector on the safe re-opening of hair and beauty salons
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12 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Secretary of State on manufacturing
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19 May 2020 To committee Letter from the Small Business Commissioner on additional points to oral evidence given on 30 April
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19 May 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Secretary of State on exiting lockdown and the safety of employers, workers and consumers
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1 May 2020 To committee Letter from British Marine on the impact of coronavirus on marine businesses
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23 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Secretary of State on CLBILS
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23 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Secretary of State on coronavirus support for employers and workers
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23 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from The Range on working practices
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16 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from DPD on supporting employees
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16 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Grant Thornton dated 3 April 2020
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16 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Barclays on supporting employees
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16 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for BEIS on reforms to help businesses
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16 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for BEIS on CBILS
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16 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Hermes dated 3 April 2020
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9 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Teleperformance
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Wetherspoons dated 30 March
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Sky
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from BT
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from IWG
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Concentrix
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Uber
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from John Lewis
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Sainsbury's
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2 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from FCSA
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1 Apr 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Grant Thornton (Brighthouse)
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31 Mar 2020 Email from LV
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31 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Newcastle United
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31 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Wetherspoons dated 26 March
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31 Mar 2020 Selection of emails from the public on businesses during Covid-19
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31 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Chancellor on CBILS
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31 Mar 2020 To committee Open letter from Chair on coronavirus - public responses
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31 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Sky
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31 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Sports Direct
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31 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Wetherspoons on late payment
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30 Mar 2020 Submissions from workers and businesses
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30 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Chancellor on Covid-19 and childcare
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30 Mar 2020 To committee Open letter from Chair on coronavirus
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28 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from Dexter's on response to Covid-19 dated 27 March 2020
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26 Mar 2020 Emails from the public on businesses response to Covid19 dates 24-25 March 2020
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25 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Wetherspoons
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25 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Sports Direct
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25 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to Secretary of State on workplace guidance
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24 Mar 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State on coronovirus business interruption loan scheme dated 23 March 2020
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