Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support is available for people who are employed in the coach tourism industry whose work has been adversely affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

The Government appreciates this is a difficult time for many businesses, including coach tourism companies. With the resurgence of the virus and tightening of restrictions to protect people's health, we have taken further steps to protect jobs and businesses.

People who are employed in the coach industry can benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which will remain open until 2 December, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500.

Self-employed individuals in the coach industry can benefit from the Government’s recent announcement of more generous support for the self-employed, who will now receive 80% of average trading profits in November. As SEISS grants are calculated over 3 months, this increases the total level of the grant to 55% of trading profits for November to January and the maximum grant will increase to £5,160. We will also be paying this out more quickly by bringing forward the SEISS 3 claims window from 14 December to 30 November.

To support businesses with their cashflow, on 2 November the Chancellor also announced that the application deadline for the government-backed loan schemes have been further extended until 31 January 2021.