Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for St Albans of (a) 28 September 2020, (b) 4 November 2020 and (c) 30 November on calls for (i) grant funding for hospitality businesses that is commensurate with their fixed costs, (ii) an extension to the reduced 5 per cent rate of VAT for drinks sales in hospitality businesses, (iii) the extension of the business rates holiday beyond April 2021 and (iv) a cut to excise duty on draught beers to protect the hospitality industry.

The Hon. Member’s letter of 28 September was transferred to HM Treasury and I understand a reply was sent from there on 3 November. I replied to the Hon. Member’s letters of 4 and 30 November on 21 January, outlining the package of support measures that are available to hospitality businesses.