Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available for providers of agricultural and country shows during the covid-19 outbreak; and what support is available for mobile providers of those shows who do not have fixed property.

The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Where they have business premises, agro-event hire companies may benefit from one of the grants schemes announced on 17 March:

• The Small Business Grant Fund, which provides eligible businesses with a £10,000 grant per property, for each property in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR).
• The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, which provides eligible businesses, not in receipt of SBRR or RRR, with a £10,000 grant per property with a rateable value of £15,000 or less; and £25,000 grant per property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000.

Agro-event hire companies without premises, along with other businesses, may benefit from a range of other support measures. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.