A group of 85 Conservative MPs have written to the Chancellor, calling for more financial support for the hospitality industry as the Covid-19 crisis deepens.
The Government has introduced measures to help hospitality businesses including, bounce back loans, the furlough scheme, and grants.
The 85 MPs are presenting the case that more specific support is required.
The letter to Rishi Sunak was led by Anthony Mangnall, Conservative MP for Totnes.
The latter calls for an increase in the business rates relief threshold, an extension of the furlough scheme, and for a VAT rebate.
This development follows the inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism on how to help businesses in these sectors weather the crisis.
The letter quotes a recent survey that found that just 25% of eligible businesses had received a hospitality grant. We recently published a report on how local authorities up and down the country are performing with grant provision: Local Authorities named and shamed over Covid-19 grants.
Commenting on the letter’s request to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Mr Mangnall said: “Businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector were some of the first to close due to Coronavirus and in many cases are expected to be some of the last to reopen after lockdown.
“While the Government’s existing support schemes are very welcome, we are asking for further measures to support these vital sectors and to provide a more tailored approach to safeguarding jobs, livelihoods and these vital industries.”
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