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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the future viability of pubs in (1) Tier 2, and (2) Tier 3, areas.

On the 2 December 2020 the coronavirus national restrictions were replaced by a system of more localised interventions, based on three tiers.

The pandemic is having a serious negative impact on many businesses, including pubs, and this is why we are providing an unprecedented package of support including an extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until 31 March 2021 and additional financial support through the Local Restrictions Support Grant, businesses which pay business rates and have been required to close due to local or national restrictions will be able to claim the following additional levels of support:

• £1,334 per month for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
• £2,000 per month for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• £3,000 per month for businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or over

Also £1.1bn is also being given to Local Authorities for one-off payments to enable them to support businesses more broadly.

As well as, for example, a one off £1,000 grant for wet-led pubs and grant schemes for pubs to access in Tiers 2 and 3.