Thank you for contacting me about support for hospitality businesses.
During the Westminster Hall debate that took place on Monday 11 January 2021, I am pleased that the Minister recognised the importance of the hospitality sector as hospitality businesses are often at the heart of communities, providing jobs and places to enjoy companionship and supporting mental health and wellbeing, social cohesion and cultural integration.
I know that many hospitality businesses in Calder Valley are experiencing serious challenges as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and I sympathise with any employee who may be facing redundancy during this difficult time.
The new variant and announcement of new restrictions across England will no doubt have come as a blow to many hospitality businesses, including pubs, restaurants and cafes operating in Calder Valley.
Under these new restrictions, all hospitality venues are required to close in England, including cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs, with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through. If a business offers delivery, they may continue to provide all food and drink via delivery, including alcohol.
To help support hospitality businesses through this difficult time, I welcome that decisive action has been taken and businesses have benefited from a combination of grants, funds, Government-backed loans and a business rates holiday. This has included business interruption loans, bounce back loans and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which has supported 1.4 million hospitality jobs. I am pleased the CJRS has been extended until the end of April 2021.
Eligible closed hospitality businesses may receive grants of up to £3,000 per month. Furthermore, in light of the England-wide restrictions, the Chancellor has announced additional grants for closed businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector of up to £9,000.
In addition, the temporary reduction in VAT (5 per cent from 20 per cent) for hospitality and tourism businesses has been extended until 31 March 2021.
Business Rates
All retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will benefit from paying no business rates for the 2020-21 financial year, regardless of their rateable value. This relief applies to over 350,000 properties and is worth almost £10 billion.
Some hospitality businesses have called for the business rates holiday and the temporary reduction in VAT for hospitality and tourism businesses to be extended. I know that the Chancellor is keeping the situation under close review to ensure that the most effective support can be made available when necessary.
Hospitality Suppliers
Hospitality suppliers have also been adversely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. I am pleased that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been engaging with representatives from the hospitality sector, including suppliers, to ensure that they support them throughout and after the Covid-19 crisis.
A number of measures are available to support suppliers to the hospitality industry, such as access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Government backed loans. In addition, suppliers to badly hit sectors such as hospitality may also be able to access the Discretionary Grant Fund which provides business support grants to businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis at the discretion of Local Authorities. I will continue to raise concerns from suppliers with Ministerial colleagues.
Evictions
The Government has extended the business eviction ban until the end of March 2021 to support businesses worst affected by the pandemic, such as pubs, bars and restaurants, rebuild over the winter period.
Likewise, the restrictions in place and will be kept under regular review and I will continue to follow any developments closely.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
January 2021