MPs to debate Farron’s call for support to the hospitality and tourism industry

MPs will tonight debate a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Business and Planning Bill calling for more support to help the tourism and hospitality sector "bounce back" in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The amendment, tabled by local MP Tim Farron, calls for a review into the impacts the Bill will have on the sector, to take into account options such as an extension of the furlough, grants and loans schemes until 2021.

Tim said: "The tourism industry has been hugely affected by this pandemic. We've seen thousands of businesses collapse overnight. Without the boom that comes with summer bookings, many will struggle to survive at all, let alone bounce back quickly, without significant support.

"The industry must be given the tools it needs to recover. Instead the Conservatives seem happy to cut off all the support they have been offering, without acknowledging that thousands of businesses are still dependent on their schemes for survival.

"Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to extend these schemes for the tourism and hospitality sector, or find new ways to increase support. Without this we risk losing vast swathes of businesses that are vital to the economy."