Oral Answers to Questions

Harriett Baldwin Excerpts

Tuesday 21st July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

What support his Department is providing to businesses to help them operate in a covid-secure way.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

What steps he is taking to help all businesses reopen in a covid-secure way.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alok Sharma]

As my right hon. Friend will know, 2.7 million self-employed people have accessed over £7.8 billion of grants from self-employed income support scheme. The scheme has been extended, and individuals will be able to claim a second and final grant when the scheme reopens for applications on 17 August.

[Harriett Baldwin]

I thank the Secretary of State for finding a way to reopen the beauty sector, which employs so many women across the country. When I paid a visit to the Malvern Spa to celebrate its reopening last weekend, I was told that it has capacity now for only 15 spa days, rather than 40, because of the square footage rules that his Department has set out. Will he look urgently at reviewing those, because it is a very spacious premises?

[Alok Sharma]

I thank my hon. Friend for her acknowledgement of the work we have been doing. The key has been to open businesses safely and securely in a cautious and phased manner, and we will continue to do that.