Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Tuesday 20th October 2020

(4 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rishi Sunak Portrait Rishi Sunak
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The hon. Lady talks about the Scottish Government introducing a £500 grant. It was the UK Government who introduced a £500 grant and provided Barnett funding for the Scottish Government to do the same. She is right that the grant payment is there to help those who are most vulnerable, so that they can isolate, and it provides an incentive for them to do so.

Kieran Mullan Portrait Dr Kieran Mullan (Crewe and Nantwich) (Con)
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What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support businesses affected by the covid-19 outbreak. [907760]

Antony Higginbotham Portrait Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con)
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What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support businesses affected by the covid-19 outbreak. [907764]

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Steve Barclay Portrait The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Steve Barclay)
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The Government recognise that the pandemic has caused extreme disruption to the economy. That is why we have delivered one of the most comprehensive and generous support packages anywhere in the world, worth over £190 billion.

Kieran Mullan Portrait Dr Mullan
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I recognise the enormous amount of support that has been given to businesses in Crewe and Nantwich. I have spoken to many that would not have survived without it, and I know the pressure on public finances. But hospitality businesses such as the one I visited, Giovanni’s in Crewe, will really struggle with the 10 pm curfew and the ban on household mixing. Can the Government look again at what we can do for businesses that might technically be allowed to open but will struggle under those circumstances?

Steve Barclay Portrait Steve Barclay
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My hon. Friend is right that there has been disruption to businesses in tier 2 areas. That is why my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has cut VAT from 20% to 5% and extended that to 31 March and also introduced a 12-month business rates holiday.