A LOCAL MP has secured a debate in Parliament to discuss the plight of the three million 'excluded' workers unable to access Government financial support

Yesterday, Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin successfully tabled a Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons calling for the Government to assess any gaps in its financial support and to report to Parliament on the steps it will take to plug them.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Brabin said: “Watching the Chancellor once again giving a statement without even acknowledging the excluded left me – and so many others - bewildered, angry and upset.

“The Government must identify the gaps in the support and inform this House the steps it’s going to take to right this wrong – without delay.

“So many have lost their jobs and so many businesses have gone under. For some the Government has stepped in as a financial safety net. But so many others – our fellow taxpayers - have been abandoned, left to fend for themselves.

“Last week member after member from all parties stood up and requested support for those who have been left out. Incredulously the Prime Minister said in response, ‘nobody has been excluded’.

“No one could have foreseen the pandemic, and they have been left out of meaningful support through no fault of their own and I hope government and the Treasury understand it’s now time to right this historic wrong.”

She referenced the cases of constituents affected by this issue, including one woman, Kim a make-up artistry business owner whose husband died in 2018.

As she receives Bereavement Allowance, her self-employed income made up less than 50 per cent of her income so was ineligible for support, and as she has been trading from a shed in her back garden for nine years, could not get a Council grant, leaving her with no income, added stress and two children to bring up.

There was another woman who has been so badly affected by the lack of support she has tried to take her own life three times in recent months, and a freelancer who had no employer to furlough him and isn't self-employed, so has received no support.

The Bill was accepted, with a second reading due later this month.