MP fights for those who have been excluded from Government support for 6 months in Parliament

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, South Lakes MP Tim Farron urged ministers to support a compensation package for the three million workers who have been excluded from the Government's COVID-19 financial support schemes.

Speaking during Work and Pensions Questions, Tim said: "There are around 4,500 people in my constituency in South Cumbria, three million across the country who have been excluded from any COVID-specific support whatsoever over the last six months.

"Those who have been recently self-employed, directors of small limited companies and people who were new starters in March.

"After six long desperate months, will the minister support a compensation package to support those people?"

In response, the Employment Minister Mims Davies said she "absolutely understands what he's asking" but "it's time to move forward".

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "For the minister to essentially say it's time to move on is frankly insulting to the needs of the three million, hard-working, tax-paying people who have had to survive with no support from this Government during lockdown.

"These are the entrepreneurs and the risk-takers we need to help kickstart our economy - I won't give up fighting for them."