Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the need to provide further support to SME high street businesses that have been closed for a prolonged period of time due to covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Government understands that this is a challenging time for high street businesses which have been acutely impacted by the pandemic. This is why the Government has delivered support to these businesses through extensions to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), VAT and business rates relief, a moratorium on evictions to protect commercial tenants, cash grants to protect businesses, extensions to existing loan schemes, and ‘Pay as You Grow’ options for businesses which have taken out loans through BBLS or CBILS, giving a longer repayment period and allowing further flexibility on repayments.

The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to support the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and support will continue. The 3 March Budget will outline the next stage in the Government’s Plan for Jobs including further detail on economic support to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK. The approach will reflect the steps set out in the roadmap: as restrictions ease and the economy is gradually and safely reopened, the Government will carefully tailor the level of support to individuals and businesses to reflect the changing circumstances.