MORE UK GOVERNMENT SUPPORT NEEDED FOR HOSPITALITY SECTOR

The hospitality sector has been hit very hard by Covid19 restrictions. I welcome the UK Government’s VAT cut for the hospitality sector, however the decision not to extend this until the end of the year could pull the rug from under struggling businesses, putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.

It is also vital that Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans are converted to grants to avoid businesses failing as they try to pay off these debts and furlough must continue for as long as restrictions remain in place. I also again called for specific support for hospitality businesses operating on island communities such as Arran and Cumbrae in my constituency, who face unique challenges as well as being reliant on tourism.

While the Scottish Government’s powers are limited in this area, the year-long hospitality rates relief remains much more generous than the three-month relief offered in England. We need action from the UK Government to stop mass business failure and job losses in the beleaguered hospitality sector.

Watch my speech below.