Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of providing businesses located in the vicinity outside a local covid-19 lockdown area with additional financial support to mitigate the effect of restricted movement.

The government has delivered on its promise to stand by businesses and workers throughout the pandemic and has provided one of the most comprehensive and generous packages of support globally. This support has included billions of pounds for businesses through loans and grants, support for millions of jobs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, deferred VAT payments, and a lease forfeitures moratorium for commercial tenants. The Chancellor recently extended the furlough scheme until the end of October and a host of these other support measures are still available to support businesses. Additionally, on 8 July the Chancellor announced the Plan for Jobs, the measures in which will provide additional support to all businesses as we reopen the economy.

We are continuing to review the economic situation and will continue helping businesses through this crisis where it is appropriate.