Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to cancel (a) beer duty and (b) VAT payments due this month to support the pub, brewing and hospitality sectors.

Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all businesses, which enable them to seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due. HMRC’s dedicated COVID-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559.

This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor. Businesses will be able to access interest-free loans, defer their VAT payments due on VAT returns for the period until the end of June, and receive support worth up to 80% of their employees’ wages.