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Midlands business leaders add voices to call for more Government help

West Midlands business leaders have reiterated the need for more Government support after the region entered Tier 4 due to rising coronavirus cases.

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The Black Country Chamber of Commerce and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce both added their voice to the calls in the region.

It comes as they raised concerns businesses had eaten up their cash supplies throughout the year and were facing "really tough decisions".

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "Many businesses and people will be disappointed to hear that our region will join many other areas of England in entering Tier 4.

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"The good news of the day is that an additional vaccine joins the arsenal to combat this pandemic and hope that as we move into the spring, some degree of normality might return.

"In the meantime, we will continue to ensure that decision-makers and government understand the economic impact these decisions have on our members and maintain our call for continued clarity, support and more information on what the exit strategy for Tier 4 looks like."

Sara Williams, chief executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said said the organisation was adding its voice to the call for more business support.

Mrs Williams said she was concerned that there were a lot of Staffordshire businesses in the supply chain to the hospitality and tourism sectors that were being forgotten.

Tough decisions

She added: "It is a very worrying time and it is disappointing that the Government made the announcement when businesses were all geared up for New Year's Eve.

"It is important that the Government pays attention to other sectors classed as manufacturing where companies could be lost too.

"It is great that furloughing has been continued but not on as generous terms and businesses that have eaten up their cash supplies are facing some really tough decisions in the new year."

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub will be keeping its helpline open and monitoring calls on the implications of the move to Tier 4 and Brexit.

Meanwhile, Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, said discussions had been held with the Treasury and ministers with regard to the need to support pubs and other hospitality venues.

Mr Fabricant said: "I have been contacted by a number of constituents, most recently by Councillor Richard Cox of Lichfield District Council, asking for financial support for our pubs and other hospitality venues such as restaurants and specialist wedding venues.

"I recognise they need help over lock-down so they can hit the ground running when this Covid crisis is over.

"I have consequently been in contact with Treasury officials and ministers including Rishi Sunak about this.

"With regard to pubs, I have focussed on spirit and beer duty and whether these can be adjusted to incentivise sales when pubs are allowed to reopen.

"These can be adjusted to incentivise sales when pubs are allowed to reopen. With regard to hospitality venues in general, including pubs, I have joined West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, in asking for additional financial help so that these businesses can remain viable during lockdown to enable them to reopen when we finally reach the end of this dark tunnel."