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23.12.11.
8. Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Social Security regarding social security payments by employers (OQ.245/2023)
Regarding social security payments by employers, will the Minister state the total amount of payments that the Government allowed to be deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the total amount of payments that continue to be deferred and the amount written off to date?
Deputy E. Millar of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity (The Minister for Social Security):
I thank the Deputy for her question. The total social security contributions deferred came to £17.8 million. £1.3 million was in respect of quarters which are still within the 2-year deferral period, that is, they are not yet due for payment. Around £8 million has reached the end of the 2-year deferral period. These sums are either already subject to a repayment plan agreed between the employer and Treasury or are being worked on by the Treasury debt team. The remainder, some £8.5 million, has already been repaid by businesses. At this time, no debts have officially been written off, although it was always possible that some companies would no longer be trading by the time repayment was required.
- Deputy M.R. Scott :
Could the Minister please inform the Assembly what percentage of the £8 million are not subject yet to a repayment plan?
Deputy E. Millar :
I do not have that information. It is either subject to a repayment plan or there is no repayment plan and is being pursued by Treasury, I think is what I have previously said. I do not have a breakdown of the proportion of that.
- Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier Central:
Just briefly, does the Minister for Social Security not consider that she should have these figures as to what has been repaid and what has not been repaid to hand?
Deputy E. Millar :
I am sure the figures exist, but we cannot foresee every question and I do not have the information available.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Would the Minister like to volunteer to inform Members how much those sums are? Deputy E. Millar :
As I say, £8 million is subject to either a repayment plan or pursuit. But, yes, I will try and find that information, if it is available.
- Deputy M.R. Scott :
I just want to confirm that the Minister, therefore, is saying she is not able to inform the Assembly what percentage of the £8 million is being pursued at this moment in time then?
Deputy E. Millar :
Ultimately it is all being pursued. We are not writing anything off at the moment. Some employers have a payment plan, some employers do not, and that is subject to discussion with the debt team. I simply do not have the breakdown of the 2 and, as I have said, I am happy to provide it.