Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Government grants statistics 2020 to 2021, published on 31 March 2022, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Covid-19 Zoo Animal Fund.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Zoo Support Fund and subsequent Zoos Animal Fund were set up to help those zoos and aquariums most effected by the coronavirus pandemic. No formal assessments of the schemes have been carried out but both funds aimed to avoid unnecessary euthanasia of zoo animals due to income reductions and to preserve animal welfare.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Government grants statistics 2020 to 2021, published on 31 March 2022, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Covid 19 Zoo Support Fund.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Zoo Support Fund and subsequent Zoos Animal Fund were set up to help those zoos and aquariums most effected by the coronavirus pandemic. No formal assessments of the schemes have been carried out but both funds aimed to avoid unnecessary euthanasia of zoo animals due to income reductions and to preserve animal welfare.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether visitor attractions which include gym elements, such as adventure climbing centres, are eligible for the temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5% on admissions.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The temporary reduced rate of VAT for hospitality and tourism was introduced on 15 July 2020 in order to support the cash flow and viability of businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors which have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
For the purposes of this relief, attractions include admission to shows, theatres, circuses, fairs, amusement parks, concerts, museums, zoos, cinemas, exhibitions and similar events. While HMRC would need to assess the facts of each case individually, admissions to attractions which include gym elements, such as adventure climbing centres, included as a part of the entry fee to the whole attraction would be eligible for the temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5 per cent.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Zoo Animals fund is being effectively used to safeguard the future of British Zoos.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Zoo Animals Fund was introduced to provide for zoos who, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals. If zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collection the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals’ welfare. We have taken many steps to make the Zoo Animals Fund accessible to those who need it including expanding the range of eligible costs so zoos could claim for costs relating to pre-planned essential maintenance and repair works as well as animal care costs, replacing the 6 week criteria and allowing applicants to apply at any time before reaching their final 12 weeks of reserves to help with their business planning and extending the fund several times. We recently extended the application deadline from 26 February 2021 to 28 May 2021 to give zoos more time to apply and have extended the support provided from the end of March 2021 to the end of June 2021.
The Zoo Animals Fund has supported a wide variety of zoos throughout the pandemic, from some of the smallest to some of the biggest – and it continues to do so. It has helped ensure the continued welfare of zoo animals and prevent unnecessary euthanasia. Only two applications have been rejected on the basis that the businesses in question were ineligible as they did not have the necessary licence or exemption. Fund recipients have reached out to express how funding has supported their animals and what a difference it has made to them to receive this help. From 12 April zoos have been able to welcome back visitors, reopening their outdoor areas as part of step two in the roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions. Allowing zoos to re-open has been an integral step towards enabling them to initiate a financial recovery. We encourage zoos in need of support in caring for their animals to apply to the Zoo Animals Fund and we will continue to work closely with the sector on reopening guidance to ensure that zoos and aquariums are able to welcome visitors safely.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of demand for additional support for the zoo and aquarium sector during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
From 12 April zoos have been able to welcome back visitors, reopening their outdoor areas as part of step two in the roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions. Our assessment was that zoos would need further support, which is why we extended the Zoo Animals Fund. We have extended the application deadline from 26 February 2021 to 28 May 2021 to give zoos more time to apply and have extended the support provided from the end of March 2021 to the end of June 2021. The fund has been a lifeline for many zoos and small, medium and large zoos have been able to secure funding to help them through this difficult time. Fund recipients have reached out to express how funding has supported their animals and what a difference it has made to them to receive this help.
Under both zoo support schemes we have so far awarded over £10 million to 56 zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums to care for their animals and we are currently processing further applications. This money has provided for animal care costs and essential maintenance costs for those zoos experiencing severe financial difficulties due to covid-19. Under the Zoo Animals Fund only two applications have been rejected on the basis that the businesses in question were ineligible as they did not have the necessary licence or exemption. We encourage zoos in need to apply to the Fund and we will continue to work closely with the sector on reopening guidance to ensure that zoos and aquariums are able to welcome visitors safely.
Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department plans to take to encourage visits to zoos as soon as relevant covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
My Department plans to take a number of steps to encourage a range of tourism activities following the easing of restrictions.
The Global Travel Taskforce last year committed the Government to publish a Tourism Recovery Plan in support of the sector. The Government intends to set out proposals in the Spring, including plans for a marketing campaign to welcome visitors back to the UK as soon as it is safe to do so.
When holidays are permitted again, we will work with VisitBritain, VisitEngland and local partners to champion the UK’s diverse tourism offer once again - just as we did with last year’s Enjoy Summer Safely and Escape The Everyday campaigns.
We will continue to work with industry to provide assurance regarding when people can safely visit attractions - as demonstrated through the We’re Good to Go industry standard, which has been used by over 45,000 businesses, including several zoos.
Asked by: Liam Byrne (Labour - Birmingham, Hodge Hill)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) policies and (b) grant and funding programmes his Department has introduced to provide support to individuals and organisations in response to the covid-19 outbreak; and what funding has been allocated to each of those programmes in the 2020-21 financial year.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Since March the Government’s priority has been to save lives and protect jobs, businesses, and livelihoods. To support workers and businesses across all sectors the Government has provided an unprecedented package of support worth more than £280 billion.
My Department has introduced a number of support packages to avoid the loss of productive capacity, prevent disproportionate harm to the economy or society and to protect vulnerable groups against the effects of Covid-19. These are as follows:
In addition, Defra has worked with delivery bodies and partners to introduce a number of regulatory easements to ensure regulatory obligations remain proportionate in these challenging circumstances, including in the areas of veterinary medicines, environmental regulations and marketing standards inspections. Specific interventions were also made with key Departments to ease regulations to support food supply, including competition law exclusions and driver hours flexibilities.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the combined effect of the zoo animals fund, furlough, VAT deferral, business rates relief, the business interruption loan schemes, the option to reclaim the costs of statutory sick pay, and ordinary hospitality and leisure grant funding on the financial stability of zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums; what representations he has received from zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums on the need for further Government support for the sector because of covid-19; if he will make it his policy to create a dedicated zoo recovery fund; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
I fully understand the pressure that the current coronavirus restrictions are placing on zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums. We know many of these organisations have been able to access the funding schemes the Government has provided to support businesses during the covid-19 pandemic, including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding. Feedback from the sector is that these have provided very welcome relief. We have received positive feedback from recipients of the Zoo Animals Fund on how the funding has supported organisations and their animals through this difficult time allowing them to continue to provide the best care for their animals and operate safely in these challenging times. The Zoo Animals Fund has been a lifeline for many organisations and small, medium and large zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums have been successful in securing funding under this scheme.
We keep all aspects of the Zoo Animals Fund constantly under review to ensure that it is meeting its aims to ensure the sector can deliver the best possible care for its animals. The application deadline for the Zoo Animals Fund is 26 February 2021 and funding is provided until the end of March 2021. Following feedback from stakeholders, changes were made to the Fund include extending the criteria to include maintenance costs, introducing the ability to apply ahead of reaching 12 weeks reserves and most recently extending the application deadline. Defra officials are in close, regular contact with BIAZA (British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquariums) and the CEOs of the largest charitable zoos to enable us to fully understand the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the sector and any asks on future support. We will continue to engage with the sector and provide updates as situations change.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 February 2021, Official Report, column 134, which aspects of the Zoo Animals Fund are currently under active review; and what changes to the support available for zoos and aquariums are being considered.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
I am aware of the pressure that the current coronavirus restrictions are placing on zoos and recognise this has been an extremely tough time for the sector. I would like to assure zoos that we remain committed to ensuring the sector can deliver the best possible care for its animals and we are currently considering options. We keep all aspects of the Zoo Animals Fund constantly under review to ensure that it is meeting its aims. Changes that we have made include extending the criteria to include maintenance costs, easing the evidence requirement for these maintenance claims, introducing the ability to apply ahead of reaching 12 weeks reserves and most recently extending the application deadline for the Zoo Animals Fund to 26 February 2021. We have ongoing communications with the sector to ensure updated information is shared as soon as situations change. For now, we urge any zoos in need of support to put in an application.
Asked by: Scott Benton (Independent - Blackpool South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he is having with zoos and aquariums in relation to providing information which would give those organisation sufficient preparation time to allow them to open up their attractions to the public later in 2021.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
I am aware of the pressure that the current coronavirus restrictions are placing on zoos and recognise this has been an extremely tough time for the sector. The Government has not yet announced how and when the current coronavirus restrictions applying to zoos and aquaria will be eased. In preparation for an announcement, we have worked closely with BIAZA (British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquariums) on their reopening guidance to ensure that zoos and aquariums have the information on how to open safely. Defra officials have also met with the CEOs of the largest chartable zoos and BIAZA to understand the measures that zoos have put in place to manage social distancing. We are also aware that a number of zoos and aquariums have secured the Visit Britain 'We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 industry standard and consumer mark. This mark provides reassurance that the business adheres to Government and public health guidance and that the necessary COVID-19 safety processes have been put in place.