Asked by: Jeff Smith (Labour - Manchester, Withington)
Question to the Scotland Office:
What recent steps his Department has taken to support the Scottish hospitality sector.
Answered by Iain Stewart
We are continuing to support the Scottish hospitality sector through a combination of UK Government initiatives.
This includes the now extended VAT reduction for the sector and support for businesses, such as business loans, which includes the new Recovery Loan Scheme.
This is in addition to the extended furlough scheme and grants for the self-employed.
Asked by: Jeff Smith (Labour - Manchester, Withington)
Question to the Scotland Office:
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing additional packages of support for industries by sector in Scotland as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
Answered by Iain Stewart
The UK Government package, as well as an additional £3.8 billion in funding for the Scottish Government through the Barnett Formula, has been significant.
The furlough and self-employed support schemes have saved more than three quarters of a million jobs in Scotland.
It is right that the furlough scheme has been extended until October, and now made available on a part-time basis. This will provide much-needed reassurance to businesses across Scotland. Scottish businesses have been very clear that what they really want is to get back to work.