To ask the Minister for the Economy whether those with a Unique Taxpayer Reference number and without a National Insurance number will be able to apply for the High Street Stimulus scheme.

Any person, who met the eligibility criteria for a Spend Local Prepaid card, including those with a Unique Taxpayer Reference Number, those without a National Insurance Number or those who could not remember their National Insurance Number, were able to apply for the High Street Scheme by contacting the High Street Scheme telephone support service and by providing the required personal information to make an application.

In addition, as asylum seekers and victims of trafficking do not have a National Insurance Number, the Department, working with trusted partners, put in place a bespoke process to enable these individuals to avail of a Spend Local prepaid card.