Question

To ask the President of COP26, what plans the Government has to compensate businesses located within the COP26 secure perimeter that will have to close during conference for loss of revenue.

COP26 presents an amazing opportunity for both Glasgow and the world. Inevitably, a conference of this size brings both huge opportunities as well as some disruption to the local community hosting the event. In consultation with police and local authority partners, a decision was taken that there will be an extensive security perimeter around the event site to protect attendees. It is unavoidable that a small number of businesses will either need to close or will have disruption to staff and client access.

The COP Unit is contacting affected businesses directly and will be providing compensation. Businesses are eligible only where they are based inside the secure perimeter and will not have facilitated access for their staff and clients.

In some cases, businesses within the restricted security perimeter will be able to stay open to provide services to event staff and delegates, although not for public access. The UK Government is providing compensation to these businesses to reflect potential shortfall in revenue where this can be clearly demonstrated based on an assessment of comparable periods.

We will not be able to offer compensation to businesses outside the restricted secure perimeters or for businesses inside the secure perimeters who are able to remain open for trading.

The Clyde Maritime Trust Tall Ship Glenlee falls within the outer security perimeter.