Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Paragraph: 62
We have also noted that the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) has not been used as...
Recommendation
We have also noted that the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) has not been used as a method of intergovernmental communication throughout the pandemic, although we have heard suggestions that it would not have been fit for purpose in the COVID-19 context. This raises further questions about the resilience and suitability of existing intergovernmental structures in crisis situations and what it means for the future of intergovernmental relations. We call on the Government to justify its preference for COBRA and the Ministerial Implementation Groups over the Joint Ministerial Committee as the main mechanisms for intergovernmental relations during the pandemic thus far.
Paragraph Reference:
62
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
HM Treasury (HMT) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have committed to undertaking a detailed evaluation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Given the economic and fiscal significance of these unprecedented economic support packages, it is important to understand the implementation, impact and value for money of the schemes, and to build an evidence base for future policymaking and to inform future services. The CJRS evaluation strategy will be published shortly, and the findings of the CJRS evaluation report will be published by the end of 2021. Self-employment data necessary to carry out a full Self-Employment Income Support Scheme evaluation will not be available until 2022, upon HMRC’s receipt of Self-Assessment returns.