PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Business: Coronavirus (28 August 2020)

The Government has delivered one of the most generous and comprehensive packages of support globally, with a total fiscal response of close to £200bn. Many of the measures introduced including loan schemes, tax deferrals and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, remain open and have been designed to be accessible to businesses in most sectors and across the UK.

The Government recognises however that some sectors have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. After careful review of the evidence, the Government has acted to deliver targeted support to a number of sectors, such as arts, culture and heritage through a bespoke £1.57 billion package, and hospitality, leisure and retail through the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and a reduction in VAT for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions.

We continue to collect evidence on the impact of the pandemic, including on specific sectors, which will of course inform our efforts to support the recovery and back UK business going forward.