Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason dog grooming businesses are not required to close during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021, but are prohibited from offering their services, and do not qualify for Government covid-19 support.

Dog grooming businesses are not on the list of businesses required to close. The latest coronavirus regulations permit dog groomers to continue working, subject to distancing, hygiene and other safety requirements being met. This may include dog groomers collecting pets from their owners' homes and then returning them once they have been groomed. The Canine and Feline Sector Group has already issued advice for pet businesses, including dog groomers, on how to operate safely within the new restrictions. This includes a protocol for the handover of pets and may be found online: https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/

The Government has issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals This advice makes clear that you may leave your home to take your pet to be groomed. You should do this only if necessary for your animal's welfare and not simply for aesthetic purposes. You should contact the groomer in advance to make an appointment. Ask the groomer if they operate a mobile collection and drop-off service.

The Government has put in place a range of business support measures since March 2020. These include loans, small business grants through local authorities, mortgage holidays and VAT deferral. These measures have been updated in line with local and national restrictions. In November, at the beginning of the second national lockdown, Government made available £1.1 billion in discretionary funding allocated to each local authority to support businesses via the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). This was topped up with a further £500 million in January 2021.

Local authorities have significant discretion in the businesses they support and the amount of grant funding per business based on local priorities.

Given the new national restrictions, other amendments now include:

• Extending the coronavirus job retention scheme to support the wage costs of employers until end of April 2021.
• Increasing the overall level of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grant to 80% of trading profits covering November to January for all parts of the UK.
• Extending the Bounce Back Loan Scheme application deadline to the end of March 2021, to further support eligible firms who need it during this ongoing period of difficulty.

We encourage businesses that have been unable to access support, or who are unsure about what support is available, to contact their Government-backed Local Growth Hub for free tailored guidance and support.

Furthermore, the Business Support Helpline (FREEPHONE 0800 998 1098) provides free, impartial business support and advice to businesses.