Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the business rates holiday for 2020-21 to supply chain businesses servicing the retail, leisure, and hospitality sector that ceased trading as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
The Government has provided enhanced support to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through the business rates holiday, given the acute impacts of COVID-19. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities on eligibility for the relief, which excludes properties that are not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public.
A range of measures to support all businesses has also been made available, including the new Bounce Back Loans scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme, and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment.