Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the hospitality sector on economic support in response to the effect of covid-19 and staff shortages on that sector.

Government ministers, including the Chancellor, as well as officials, meet regularly with business leaders and representative organisations from the hospitality sector and other sectors impacted by Covid-19.

On 21 December, the Chancellor announced a package of support for businesses impacted by the Omicron variant. This included cash grants of up to £6,000 per premises for the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors; a further £102m of discretionary funding for local authorities to deliver to businesses most in need; and the reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate scheme for small- and medium-sized employers.