AQW 9370/17-22
Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim
Tabled Date: 23/10/2020
Answered On Date: 05/12/2020
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, following the Chancellors announcement of additional financial support to businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sector in high alert level areas in England, whether she will be seeking the full Barnett consequentials from this to expand the COVID-19 Restrictions Business Support Scheme.
Answer:
I will continue to examine and pursue further means to support the local economy in whatever way possible. In considering further interventions, including additional funding or packages of financial support, it will be for the Executive collectively to determine how this will be allocated. In addition, I will continue to engage with the UK Government, in order to provide the support that will be required to help businesses and the economy to respond to this pandemic, and then start to rebuild and recover as we move forward. I launched the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme to provide support to businesses affected by the restrictions set out in the NI Health Protection Regulations, which came into effect on 16 October, that are not eligible for the Localised Restrictions Business Support Scheme. I have announced that this scheme will be extended to provide assistance to businesses affected by the additional restrictions from 27 November to 11 December. I announced on 21 October 2020 that my Department would be developing support schemes for the newly self-employed as well as large tourism and hospitality businesses. On 23 November, the Executive agreed a £213m package of support for businesses which includes further funding for the Department for the Economy to adapt current support schemes, deliver on schemes already announced and develop new interventions to support businesses. This will include support for sole limited Company Directors, large tourism, hospitality, retail and leisure businesses, wet pubs, local online sales support and a High Street Voucher Scheme. Further details on these schemes will be made available in due course.
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