Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he plans to take to (a) protect and (b) support pub and hospitality businesses as part of the recovery from covid-19 lockdowns.

The Department regularly meets with representatives from across the Hospitality sector to discuss how it can recover and build back from the pandemic.

We have provided an unprecedented support package of £352 billion, including grants, loans, business rates relief, VAT cuts and the job retention scheme, which hospitality businesses have access to.

We have published a new Hospitality Strategy: Reopening, Recovery, Resilience to ensure England’s pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues can thrive long-term.