MPs Urge Government to Provide More Financial Aid in Budget for Tourism Industry

A group of cross-party MPs have urged the Chancellor to provide meaningful financial aid to hospitality and tourism operators

A total of 83 MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism have endorsed a letter to the Chancellor calling for a number of measures ahead on this week’s Budget.

APPG members have called for a VAT cut extension to 5% on food and drinks for an additional year and are asking for a business rates holiday for another fiscal year and HMRC tax deferrals to allow more time for businesses to recover.

UKHospitality said: “For hospitality, the UK’s third-largest employer, the importance of this Budget is clear. After a year of restrictions, sub-economic trade, closures and significant financial losses, it is essential that the Government offers more support for hospitality businesses while they recover from this unprecedented crisis.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has hinted the job retention scheme, which covers up to 80% of wages, would continue beyond the planned expiry date.

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