Covid-19: Financial Support for High Street Retailers

Lord Stevenson of Balmacara Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

The noble Baroness makes a powerful point, and I point out that we do not have these restrictions in England. I almost felt sorry for the Welsh Government yesterday in trying to navigate a way through this self-imposed error.

[Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, with visits to the high street falling and the prospect of Christmas and new year being digital at best, why are the Government asking local authorities to pay back support originally designated for the high street fightback fund? Should not the focus be on reopening the fund to help businesses struggling under the new restrictions?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

As the noble Lord will be aware, the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors have been helped considerably. We allocated £12.3 billion to local authorities in England to pay grants to businesses under the small business grants fund. This support will continue and we need to do all we can to help our high streets.