MP's response to a Darren Statham

Wednesday 22 December 2021

Following Darren Statham's very successful meeting with Dr Luke Evans MP on Tuesday 21st December, please find below the message sent to the Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA Branch:

From: Dr Luke Evans MP
Date: 21 Dec 2021 17:39
Subject: £1 billion support for Hospitality Businesses
To: darren.j.statham@xxxxx

Dear Darren

I apologies for the short message, but given the changing nature of COVID and the Omicron variant, I wanted to update you with new information I received today. As you are a strong supporter of our local hospitality sector, I thought it was pertinent to share with you the recent announcement by the Chancellor for an additional £1 billion in support for businesses most impacted by the new Omicron variant. My office have just been made aware of the announcement, and are awaiting further details, though you can find out more here: £1 billion in support for businesses most impacted by Omicron across the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) I thought it was important to let you know that funding will be made available imminently as I recognise at what is often their most profitable time of year, many local pubs and restaurants have seen cancellations and reduced footfall as people have responded to the rise in cases ahead of Christmas. Around 200,000 businesses will be eligible for business grants which will be administered by local authorities and will be available in the coming weeks:

Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises. More than £100 million discretionary funding will be made available for local authorities to support other businesses, such as those who supply the hospitality and leisure sectors through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). This is on top of the £250 million of previously allocated funding that remains with local authorities. The Government will also cover the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for Covid-related absences for small and medium-sized employers across the UK.

As the funding will be allocated and distributed by local authorities, please contact the council when applications open and if you have any queries: Contact us | Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk) You can find further help and support here: Help and advice for businesses | Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk) Please pass on to anyone who you believe this may be helpful to. As I have done throughout the pandemic, I will continue to make representations to the Government for support for businesses significantly affected by the pandemic, such as the night-time economy, hospitality sector, retail, travel and transport industry. As before, I hope to monitor the progress of the rollout and raise as appropriate. I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas.

All the best,

Luke

Dr Luke Evans MP | Member of Parliament for Bosworth House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA w: drlukeevans.org.uk t: constituency: 01455 635741 parliament: 0207 219 4250 office mobile: 07920 619812 twitter: @drlukeevans Instagram: drlukeevans