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People are being asked to confidentially share their experiences, good or bad, of accessing the financial support measures put in place by the States, as Scrutiny submits formal questions to Policy & Resources about basing the corona virus payroll co-funding scheme on the minimum wage.
The Scrutiny Management Committee has submitted four Rule 14 questions to P&R about the rationale for basing the States co-funding scheme on Guernsey's minimum wage, how much that scheme has supported islanders and how long it will run for.
The Committee is also requesting feedback from businesses and individuals whose finances have been hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
The States' business support measures, which included the payroll scheme and hardship grants to small businesses and the self-employed, were designed to help employers retain staff and relieve cash-flow problems.
Scrutiny is calling for feedback from those who have been affected by the financial consequences of the pandemic to come forward and share their experience, good or bad, of accessing the business support measures.
"The Committee intends to collate the evidence submitted to formulate an accurate overview relating to specific areas of concern in order to question the Policy & Resources Committee," Scrutiny said.
"Ultimately, the Committee believes it is important that lessons learned from managing the current pandemic should be captured and then applied in the future. Any member of the public is invited to submit relevant evidence.
Pictured: P&R Vice-President Lyndon Trott has taken the lead on economic support measures.
"The Committee appreciates that the time allocated for the submission of evidence is restricted but believes that its timely response is imperative. Evidence should, wherever possible, be submitted by e-mail to scrutiny@gov.gg but letters can be sent to the address provided at the end of this document. Please do not send any original documents."
All evidence must be submitted by close of business on Friday 12 June 2020.
The call for feedback and the policy outlining how confidentiality will be adhered to can be found on Scrutiny's website HERE.
The four written questions to P&R, which have been submitted by Scrutiny President Chris Green, are as follows:
1. Why was the benchmark of the Guernsey statutory minimum wage chosen as the relevant mechanism for the Guernsey Coronavirus Payroll Co-funding scheme? What exactly was the rationale for this approach?
2. Why is the Guernsey Coronavirus Payroll Co-funding scheme materially less generous than the equivalent UK and Jersey schemes?
3. What are the most up-to-date figures on how many businesses and individuals have been assisted under this particular scheme? What is the total quantum of public monies paid out so far under this scheme?
4. When is it anticipated that the Guernsey Coronavirus Payroll Co-funding scheme will be brought to an end by the States? How will that decision be taken?
Pictured top: Deputy Chris Green.
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