Question to the HM Treasury:

What plans he has to extend the (a) Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and (b) business rates holiday to businesses involved in the retail, hospitality and leisure supply chain during the covid-19 outbreak.

The COVID-19 crisis has led to a steep decline in customer footfall on our high streets.

That is why the Government has provided funding for over £5 billion of grants for small retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, and over £9.5 billion of funding to provide a 12 month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

This business rates holiday along with the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund, are designed to support businesses which have been particularly hard hit by the crisis.