Public Health Restrictions: Government Economic Support Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Public Health Restrictions: Government Economic Support

Bob Seely Excerpts
Tuesday 13th October 2020

(3 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Bob Seely Portrait Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) (Con)
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Is there any specific evidence that swimming pools and gyms are centres for covid transmission? Has any research been done into rising obesity and unfitness levels, and has any research been done into rising unemployment caused by the closure of gyms and pools that is now happening in parts of the UK?

Steve Barclay Portrait Steve Barclay
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In some ways, that is slightly more of a Health question than a Treasury question, but I recognise that there is read-across from those businesses into the economy. In short, the opinion of the chief medical officer and the chief scientific officer is that those businesses do carry significantly more risk, which is why they have been harder hit in the guidance that has been issued. The package of support that the Chancellor set out recognises that businesses that are closed need additional support, which is why the measures announced by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor yesterday spoke exactly to the issue of businesses that have been closed due to the guidelines.