Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made on the effect of government support to the hospitality sector on that sector.

My Department is in regular contact with Her Majesty’s Treasury to closely assess the impact of COVID-related support measures on the hospitality industry.

Hospitality businesses can continue to make use of the Government’s comprehensive support package - including the various loan schemes, a significant cut to VAT until the end of March, plus business rates relief for eligible hospitality, retail and leisure businesses.

When it launches in November, the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) will help protect jobs within businesses facing lower demand due to COVID-19. We have also announced an expansion of the JSS to provide temporary support to businesses whose premises have been legally required to close as a direct result of Covid-19 restrictions

We continue to engage with stakeholders through the Visitor Economy Working Group to assess how we can most effectively support employers and employees within the hospitality sector.