Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Menzies Excerpts

Tuesday 9th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con)]

What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support businesses affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

What fiscal steps his Department is taking to support businesses affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)]

The Government are providing over £407 billion-worth of support for the UK economy over this year and next. Contained within that is considerable support for business, through discounted loans, cash grants, VAT reductions and tax deferrals, all designed to help business get through this crisis and protect as many jobs as possible.

--- Later in debate ---

[Rishi Sunak]

I thank my hon. Friend for shining a spotlight on this important industry; he is right to do so. I know that he will be talking to the Department for Transport about regulations for the industry, but I can tell him that we will be providing local authorities with discretionary funding of around £425 million to sit alongside the restart grants. That money, at the discretion of local areas, can be used to support businesses such as coach businesses in their areas.

[Mark Menzies [V]]

I just want to take this opportunity to thank the Chancellor for the way in which he has engaged with me and other Members representing coastal communities throughout the lifetime of the pandemic. I know the extensive measures he has put in place, particularly for the hospitality sector, will make a huge difference to those businesses surviving. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that he will continue to monitor and work with me to ensure that local businesses get all the support they need for their continued recovery?

[Rishi Sunak]

My hon. Friend has been instrumental in providing on-the-ground information to me and my team about the particular situation facing hospitality businesses in coastal communities like his. He is an absolute champion for them and rightly so. They are an important part of his local economy and I am glad that this Budget supported them. He has my assurance that we will continue to work with him and them to get them the support that they deserve.