To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she will make a recommendation to the Executive on a proposed scheme to assist sole traders and others thus far excluded from business support schemes.

I remain committed to working with my Executive Colleagues to provide support to as many businesses as possible as we deal with the health, economic and societal impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I submitted an options paper previously to the Executive with further economic policy response proposals as well as options to aid economic recovery.

This is an evolving situation and my Executive Colleagues and I continue to consider appropriate interventions, particularly as we face the prospect of further restrictions and adapt to the frequent changes in public health advice.