Following on from the survey, I have today written to the Chancellor, thanking him for his stated recognition of the social and economic importance of our sector. Importantly, this was also reinforced by the Prime Minister's comments and from a wide range of MPs, engaged in the debate surrounding the request for a Hospitality Minister to be appointed.
I specifically thanked him for the further support through the additional Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment grants that he announced last week, which provide £4,000, £6,000 or £9,000 to your business, dependent on rateable value.
I also highlighted the need for these grants to be paid with a sense of urgency, as your businesses fight for survival with no income, and significant ongoing costs. These grants, whilst welcome, will not even cover the basic running costs for many of our members, and we therefore need urgent confirmation of the package of financial measures that will help reinvigorate our pubs once they are able to open and trade again.
We know from our survey that you believe the cancellation of Business Rates for 2021/22 and an extension of the VAT reduction
at 5% are business critical, and we have impressed upon Government the importance of these measures being announced at the earliest opportunity, to enable you to plan effectively for the future of your businesses. Waiting for these to be confirmed at the Budget may simply be too late for many pubs.
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