Thank you, Mr President. Thank you again to you for calling this open debate today and we’re also very grateful to the Secretary-General and the Youth Envoy and our other briefers. We’re also particularly glad to hear those perspectives from the youth briefers. There was a lot to reflect on there in terms of putting youth and the peace and security agenda into a broader and more personal context. Thank you very much to them.

Mr President, I wanted to focus on on three points today. Firstly, on, as others have done, the impact of COVID-19 on youth and on this agenda. And secondly, on the critical role of education. And thirdly, on the importance of protecting young human rights defenders and young peace builders.

Allow me to begin with a quick word on COVID-19. I think we all know the world is experiencing an unprecedented challenge in the face of this global pandemic. And it’s clear that we can only defeat COVID if we work together to defeat it everywhere. And this requires global effort. But young people are going to be key to the global response to this pandemic, and that’s going to mean listening to them and ensuring their needs are taken into account, that they are involved in decisions about our handling of this crisis as it affects their lives.

As others have noted, more than half of the world’s population is below the age of 30 and they will be hard hit by the second order effects of this virus. They will experience the uncertainty and hardship of the global economic slowdown and the social disruption and, in some places, the humanitarian and conflict impacts if we don’t respond quickly to the challenges that COVID will mean for vulnerable societies. So we need youth to join our efforts to fight the virus and we need to ensure that they do not bear the brunt of its impact.

Mr President, the second point I wanted to talk to was about education, and it was really striking in Gatwal’s story to hear of how the point at which his life pivoted really from being trapped in the cycle of violence that had trapped his father, was when he was in Uganda and was getting an education there. It’s clear that shortcomings in education is not a new phenomenon in many parts of the world, but it’s clear that the pandemic is having a profound impact on education systems, too, with over 1.5 billion children and youth out of school. And more disruption will follow as the virus spreads. It’s important to note that missing out on an education is a huge waste of young people’s potential, but more importantly, it makes societies in which they live less safe and less prosperous because, as Gatwal said, it was an education that gave him hope and prospects. And it is without education that young people, without hope and prospects turn to alternatives including violence.

We also know, Mr President, that school closures have a disproportionate impact on girls’ lives, with girls facing increased risks of child marriage, of teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and being at a risk of dropping out of school permanently. So it’s critical that, where we can, we get schools open as quickly as possible.

It’s also worth noting that it’s not just COVID that’s closing down schools. As we’ve heard in the Council over the last several months, in the Sahel, increased violence has closed hundreds of schools and pushed children out of education again with a knock-on effect on the conflict there.

Mr President, the UK is committed to standing up for the right of every girl to have twelve years of quality education. And we’ve consistently provided funding to deliver on this promise and we’ll continue to do so. In fact, we’ve added an additional $6 million to the Education Cannot Wait programme to provide education the world’s most vulnerable children and youth, particularly as they are affected by the impact of COVID-19.

Mr President, finally, my third point is that young people have to have the freedom and rights to champion what they believe in. We’ve been gravely concerned by reprisals against young human rights defenders and peace builders. Young people face attacks and threats and restrictions on their freedom in attempts to stop them from doing their critical work – including, sadly, here at the UN. Young women are at particular risk, whether age and gender can work against them. That’s why in February this year we co-hosted an Arria meeting on reprisals against women human rights defenders and women peace builders who briefed the Security Council, and many of whom were young. We believe the Council must work together to foster an enabling environment for young people working on peace and security.

Mr President, the South African Ambassador reminded us earlier that today is South Africa’s Freedom Day. And it’s impossible really to imagine South Africa winning that freedom without the energy and the mobilisation of its youth and that youth paid a high price for that freedom, from the Soweto uprisings in 1976, right through the violence that was inspired in the lead-up to democratic elections. And I think as we reflect on that, our job here becomes clear, and that is to ensure a voice for the youth of the world that allows them to become central to the way we govern ourselves and the way we decide on the future, but one that does not come at such a great cost.

Thank you very much, Mr President.

Supporting vulnerable people move to new homes during the pandemic should continue to be a priority as Housing Minister Christopher Pincher publishes new guidance for social landlords today (27 April 2020).

The guidance makes clear that essential moves should continue over this period, where it can be done in line with social distancing guidance.

This includes domestic abuse victims who may be fleeing abusive relationships, people who are homeless and leaving temporary accommodation or individuals leaving hospital.

If people are able to move into a more settled home over this period, it could free up space in temporary accommodation or in hospitals and other healthcare settings, helping more people get access to the help or medical support they need.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher MP said:

This is a daunting and uncertain time for everyone around the country – especially for those who need a more settled home.

Wherever possible councils and housing associations should continue to support those fleeing abusive relationships or leaving hospital after an illness – to move into decent and more settled homes.

By doing this we will not only help vulnerable people into settled homes but we can also free up more hospital beds and save lives during this pandemic.

The guidance also recognises the importance of cooperation between local partners in order to support those who are vulnerable during this time and will be kept under review whilst the emergency measures are in place.

Non-essential moves, such as home transfers, should be paused during this period, in order to help reduce the spread of the infection. This is to ensure the safety, health and welfare of tenants, applicants and members of staff.

People should delay moving to a new home while emergency measures are in place to fight coronavirus.

The guidance published today says that all social landlords should prioritise essential moves and do what they can to ensure these can take place, when safe to do so.

Essential moves include:

• supporting victims of domestic abuse and people fleeing violence
• preventing severe overcrowding
• facilitating move-on from temporary accommodation
• supporting discharge from hospital to free-up bed space for others requiring care
• supporting those living in un-safe accommodation, or without settled accommodation, which poses a risk to their health

Where moves or transfers do have to take place, landlords have a responsibility to carry out these functions in line with the latest government advice on social distancing. This message should be communicated clearly to applicants.

The guidance is available online. We will continue to review this in line with the most recent government advice to ensure the safety of everyone in the social housing sector.

• businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days
• loans will be interest free for the first 12 months, and businesses can apply online through a short and simple form

Small businesses will benefit from a new fast-track finance scheme providing loans with a 100% government-backed guarantee for lenders, the Chancellor announced today (Monday 27 April).

Rishi Sunak said the new Bounce Back Loans scheme, which will provide loans of up to £50,000, would help bolster the existing package of support available to the smallest businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The scheme has been designed to ensure that small firms who need vital cash injections to keep operating can get finance in a matter of days, and comes alongside the £6 billion awarded in business grants, supporting 4 million jobs through the job retention scheme and generous tax deferrals supporting hundreds of thousands of firms.

The government, which has been consulting extensively with business representatives about the design of the new scheme, will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee for the loan and pay any fees and interest for the first 12 months. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months.

The loans will be easy to apply for through a short, standardised online application. The loan should reach businesses within days- providing immediate support to those that need it as easily as possible.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said:

Our smallest businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a vital role in their communities. This new rapid loan scheme will help ensure they get the finance they need quickly to help survive this crisis.

This is in addition to business grants, tax deferrals, and the job retention scheme, which are already helping to support hundreds of thousands of small businesses.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

Our small businesses are vital in ensuring our communities thrive and will be crucial in creating jobs and securing economic growth as we recover.

This rapid loan scheme offers additional protection so small companies across the country can get access to the finance they need immediately, as part of the unprecedented package of support we have put in place.

The scheme will launch for applications on Monday 4 May. Firms will be able to access these loans through a network of accredited lenders.

The government will work with lenders to ensure loans delivered through this scheme are advanced as quickly as possible and agree a low standardised level of interest for the remaining period of the loan.

Notes

Our Covid-19 support schemes have provided over £15 billion for business in just a few weeks. We’ve put in place:

• our job retention scheme – more than 500,000 claims have been made to the value of £4.5 billion
• business grants – half a million business properties have benefitted from £6 billion of business grants
• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – with over 20,000 loans
• the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, which has provided over £14 billion for larger firms
• generous VAT deferrals worth billions of pounds
• scrapped businesses rates
• covering the cost of statutory sick pay
• the new scheme will run alongside the existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
• We are also taking additional steps on the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to ensure that lenders have the confidence they need to process finance applications quickly, including removing the per lender portfolio cap for the government guarantee, and changing the viability tests that so that all banks will need to assess is whether a business was viable pre COVID-19

Reactions from business

Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses National Chairman, said:

This crucial new initiative should enable thousands of small businesses to access the working capital they need quickly, helping to protect the millions of jobs they provide in every part of the UK.

This step forward marks another decisive intervention from the Treasury and the Business Department, building on existing support in an innovative way. Swift delivery is now key, and we also look forward to working with government in the long-term to enhance market competition, including that provided by non-bank lenders.

We are pleased to see the Chancellor and the Business Secretary listening to the needs of small businesses, and we will continue to work with them to make sure small firms and the jobs they provide are protected throughout this public health challenge and that small firms are at the forefront of leading the recovery.

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

The Chancellor’s new 100% guaranteed loan scheme for small businesses is transformational. Sole traders, micro-firms and entrepreneurs will now have a simple route to fast finance to stay afloat, without red tape or time-consuming checks.

Thousands of businesses could be saved by this lifeline. Banks now need to continue their work in overdrive to get the loans flowing faster.

It’s good to see the Chancellor listening to business, proving that where there’s a need to adjust schemes, he will do what it takes. It will be vital to maintain this approach in the months to come. Every job saved today will ensure a faster recovery tomorrow.

Jonathan Geldart, IoD Director General:

This is a welcome intervention, which should help ensure more firms can access the finance that could see them through this crisis. Business leaders will appreciate the government’s continued flexibility in adapting their response to what’s happening on the ground.

It’s crucial that the government’s support cuts through to those who need it. Having a quick and simple process will be vital, and we need to remember that taking on debt is always a difficult decision for small firms.

Adam Marshall, BCC Director General:

The Chancellor has demonstrated he is listening to the concerns of our business communities and taking steps to get cash to the front line where it is needed.

This new route for our smallest companies to apply quickly and get a fast decision will be crucial to those who have struggled to get a CBILS loan.

Mr Speaker,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to update the House on our economic response to the coronavirus.

And let me say at the outset that I’m grateful to Members from all sides of this House, including the [RHM], the new Shadow Chancellor, for their contributions to the debate.

Mr Speaker,

We should be in no doubt about the seriousness of the economic situation.

The Office for Budget Responsibility have published a scenario showing that the coronavirus will have very significant impacts both at home, and in the global economy.

More than 1.5 million new claims have been made to Universal Credit.

Over 4 million jobs have now been furloughed.

Survey evidence suggests a quarter of businesses have paused trading.

These are already tough times.

There will be more to come.

And while our interventions have saved millions of jobs and businesses, we can’t save every job and every business.

I understand, and I share, people’s anxiety.

But right now, the most important thing we can do to protect our economy is to protect the health of our people.

As my RHF the Prime Minister said this morning, we are making progress; we are beginning to turn the tide.

But if we lose control of the virus again, we risk seeing a second spike, which we all want to avoid.

So the goal of our economic strategy is to provide a bridge over what will be a sharp and significant crisis, by:

• keeping as many people as possible in their existing jobs
• supporting viable businesses to stay afloat
• and protecting the incomes of the most vulnerable

In other words, to maintain the productive capacity of the British economy.

So that once we are able to refine the public health restrictions…

…we can, as quickly as possible, get people back to work; businesses reopening; the self-employed trading again.

The OBR have been clear that if we had not taken the actions we have, the situation would be much worse.

The IMF have said our approach has been “aggressive” and “right”.

And taken together, I believe our response has been one of the most comprehensive of any country, anywhere in the world.

Working closely with the Bank of England, business groups, Trades Unions, banks, charities, and many others around the country…

…we have developed a plan to protect public services, people, and businesses.

Let me address each of those areas in turn.

Mr Speaker,

Public services like the NHS are on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus, and I repeat today: whatever resources our NHS needs, it will get.

At the Budget in March I announced the Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund, initially allocating £5 billion.

We’ve now provided over three times that initial amount, with the NHS and other public services receiving £16 billion so far.

We’re also providing extensive support for people’s jobs and incomes.

Our most important and far-reaching policy is the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, to keep people in employment.

The scheme launched, on schedule, last week, and I’m pleased to report that the first grants have just been paid.

Around half a million firms have already applied for help to pay the wages of over 4 million furloughed jobs; jobs that might otherwise have been lost.

HMRC are also on track to deliver the Self-employed Income Support Scheme, as promised, in early June, and we will publish detailed guidance this week.

Alongside these new interventions, we’ve strengthened our existing safety net, with increases to Universal Credit, the Local Housing Allowance, and Statutory Sick Pay.

And we’ve reinforced our social fabric, too, with £750 million for the charity sector.

Of course, the best way to support people is to protect their jobs – and that means supporting the businesses that employ them.

Our plan to help businesses means the following:

• almost half of all business properties in England will pay no business rates this year
• almost 1 million business premises can now receive cash grants of up to £10,000 or £25,000
• over 2 million businesses have been offered a VAT deferral, saving an average of £30k
• another 2.7 million people will be able to defer their self-assessment payments
• almost 60,000 people and businesses have put time to pay arrangements in place with HMRC
• up to 2 million employers will be able to access the Statutory Sick Pay rebate, up to £48,000 per firm
• over £14 billion of lending has been issued through the Bank of England’s financing facility
• over 20,000 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans have now been approved
• and, of course, all of this is on top of our furlough scheme, with payments now arriving.

Taken together, our plans are protecting millions of people and businesses across our country, through a set of interventions in the economy on a scale we’ve never attempted before – and they are working.

But, Mr Speaker,

I know that some small businesses are still struggling to access credit.

They are, in many ways, the most exposed businesses to the impact of the coronavirus; and often find it harder to access credit in the first place.

If we want to benefit from their dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit as we recover our economy, they will need extra support to get through the crisis.

Some businesses will not want to take on more debt; which is why our focus has been on cash grants, tax cuts and tax deferrals. But for others, loans will be part of the answer.

So today, we are announcing a new micro loan scheme, providing a simple, quick, easy solution for those in need of smaller loans.

Businesses will be able to apply for these new Bounce Back Loans for 25% of their turnover, up to a maximum of £50,000, with the government paying the interest for the first twelve months.

My RHF the Economic Secretary and I have been in close talks with the banks, and I’m pleased to say that these loans will be available from 9am next Monday.

There will be no forward-looking tests of business viability; no complex eligibility criteria; just a simple, quick, standard form for businesses to fill in.

For most firms, loans should arrive within 24 hours of approval.

And I have decided, for this specific scheme, that the government will support lending by guaranteeing, to the lender, 100% of the loan.

Let me address this point directly Mr Speaker:

I’ve heard some calls for government to underwrite all our loan schemes with 100% guarantees. I remain unconvinced by the case for doing that universally.

We should not ask the ordinary taxpayers of today and tomorrow to bear the entire risk of lending almost unlimited sums…

…to businesses who may, in some cases, have very little prospect of paying those loans back – and not necessarily because of the impact of coronavirus.

So I do not think it is appropriate to provide 100% guarantees on all of our schemes.

Instead, these new Bounce Back Loans carefully target that extraordinary level of state support at those who need it most.

And the £50,000 cap balances the risk to the taxpayer with the need to support our smallest businesses.

Mr Speaker,

Right now, the most important thing for the health of our economy is the health of our people.

We are making progress in our fight against the virus; but we are not there yet.

So our strategy is to protect people and businesses through this crisis, by:

Backing our public services and NHS with increased funding.

Strengthening our safety net to support those most in need.

And supporting people to stay in work and keep their businesses going.

Our response is comprehensive, coherent and coordinated. It is, I believe, the right approach.

And I hope I can continue to rely on the support, and advice, of all H&RHMs, as I commend this statement to the House.

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.