UK Internal Market: White Paper

Debate between Lord Sharma and Andrew Selous

Thursday 16th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

I have just said that the White Paper is indeed a consultation and he, along with everyone else in our country, is able to set out his views.

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

On 17 March, the Chancellor said that companies such as Square One in Leighton Buzzard in the events industry

“that have business properties will be eligible”—[Official Report, 17 March 2020; Vol. 673, c. 964.]—

for business rates relief. Local authorities do not seem to have got that message, so will the Business Secretary stick up for the events industry and make sure that what the Chancellor said should happen will happen?

[Alok Sharma]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I know that this is a very difficult time for very many businesses up and down the country, and that is why we have supported them with a whole range of measures, including grants and loans that they have been able to get. He will also know that I set out a £617 million discretionary grant fund for local authorities. I hope that local authorities will have used that discretion to support local businesses, but I am happy to take up that individual case if he would like.