Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kwasi Kwarteng and Alex Norris

Tuesday 15th December 2020 Commons Chamber

[Alex Norris (Nottingham North) (Lab/Co-op)]

What assessment his Department has made of the effect of tiered covid-19 public health restrictions on businesses’ ability to trade.

[The Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth (Kwasi Kwarteng)]

We know that certain areas of the economy have faced enormous challenges this year, and that is why the Government have provided an unprecedented range of support packages to help businesses precisely to continue trading.

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

As the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Scully), has suggested, there is a considerable measure of support for pubs that are suffering at the moment. And as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said, there is a clear medical, epidemiological reason for pursuing the policies that we have done.

[Alex Norris]

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the BBPA said that the so-called support for pubs and brewers in the winter plan was met with “utter dismay and incredulity” among publicans. Many hostelry businesses crucial to life in Nottingham and across the country are not going to survive the winter with what is currently on offer. When is the Minister going to come forward with proper support?

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

I do not recognise what the hon. Gentleman is saying. We are in constant dialogue with the pub industry and many people—publicans—certainly in my constituency, who have spoken to me are grateful for the measure of support. We are in constant dialogue, but they are grateful for the measure of support that has been supplied.