Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will allow pubs to sell takeaway alcohol during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown.
Answered by Paul Scully
During the new national restrictions in place from 5 November, pubs and bars are permitted to sell alcohol through delivery or via click and collect where remote ordering has been utilised.
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the value of the aluminium sector to the UK economy.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
Aluminium is widely used in many sectors of the economy, including transport (automotive and aviation), construction, manufacturing equipment, consumer durables and electronics, as well as food, beverage, and medical packaging. In 2018, the aluminium sector had an estimated turnover of £1.9 billion and contributed around £200 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy. It directly supports 4,100 jobs and many more indirectly. Aluminium is a lightweight material and infinitely recyclable, and so has significant potential to contribute to the UK’s net zero objectives.
The Government recognises that it is crucial for the aluminium sector to continue providing essential materials to support the economy and the Department is committed to ongoing engagement with the aluminium industry. Input from aluminium firms informed the Government’s guidelines to help manufacturing businesses to operate safely during the pandemic, and the industry has also been widely consulted on changes affecting the sector as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU.
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will provide financial support to pubs which experience financial losses as a consequence of the 10pm curfew.
Answered by Paul Scully
My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Winter Economy Plan outlines further measures to help businesses, including the Job Support Scheme, extending the VAT cut until 31 March 2021, the New Payment Scheme to allow deferred VAT payments to be spread through the year, extending the application period for government-backed loans and introducing ‘Pay as You Grow’ repayment options.
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to update guidance on marriages and civil partnerships to allow wedding receptions to be held after ceremonies during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Paul Scully
We recognise the importance of weddings to people, both to couples wishing to get married and their friends and families, and the wider industry which enables weddings to take place.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that wedding ceremonies of up to 30 people can resume from 4 July. The Government is continuing to engage with representatives from the industry to explore how wedding celebrations, including receptions, may be resumed in a Covid-secure way, once it is safe to do so.
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to prevent redundancies in the aerospace sector.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The UK’s aerospace sector is benefiting from over £6 billion of support from the Government’s Covid-19 business support measures, including: the Coronavirus Corporate Financing Facility; our sector specific support measures for research and development; our supply chain innovation and performance improvement programmes; and export finance support for aerospace, expected over the next 18 months.
In addition, we remain in active discussion with the industry, including at sector level through the Aerospace Growth Partnership.
We will continue to support the aerospace industry to get back on its feet to protect jobs across the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support he has made available for businesses facing closure as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Government has introduced an unprecedented package of support for businesses to get through this incredibly challenging period. This includes:
Many businesses have already benefitted from this support. As of 14 June, 1.1 million employers are utilising the Job Retention Scheme, over 900,000 businesses of all sizes have been able to access more than £38 billion of finance through our loan schemes, and more than £10 billion of Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants have been paid.
As well as this support, the Government is currently taking the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill through Parliament to make changes to insolvency and company law, to:
Full details on the support available for businesses can be found on GOV.UK, or through contacting our business support line.
Asked by: Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing pubs and restaurants to use additional outdoor spaces when re-opening during the covid-19 outbreak to ensure social distancing guidance is adhered to.
Answered by Paul Scully
On 13 May, five ministerial-led taskforces were set up to develop plans for how closed sectors could reopen safely. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for the Pubs and Restaurants Taskforce, which brought together representatives from the industry.
The taskforce consulted with the sector to develop guidancethat will allow restaurants, bars and cafes to reopen at the earliest point it is considered safe to do so. The guidance, which will cover both indoor and outdoor workspaces, will be published in due course.
As is the case now, individual business owners will be responsible for ensuring their customers adhere to social distancing guidelines wherever possible.