Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that the coach travel sector is treated as part of the leisure sector and able to access support available to leisure businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has delivered on its promise to stand by businesses and workers throughout the pandemic and has provided one of the most comprehensive and generous packages of support globally. This support has included billions of pounds for businesses through loans and grants, support for millions of jobs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS.

Coach companies, along with other businesses, continue to have access to a range of support measures including, but not limited to:

• A Discretionary Grant Fund for Local Authorities in England

•The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

• The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL) for small and micro enterprises

• VAT deferral for up to 12 months (for the period 20 March – 30 June 2020)

• The Time To Pay scheme, through which businesses in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs

• Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-payment until September 30, 2020.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme opened to all employers on 20th April.