Chancellor's new economic plan a lifeline for region's hospitality industry, Mayor says
Rishi Sunak's new economic plan will prevent lockdown restrictions from causing "incredible damage" to the region's hospitality industry, the West Midlands Mayor has said.
Andy Street said the Chancellor had "responded to the needs of the West Midlands" after new measures were announced to support firms hit by coronavirus restrictions.
It came after the Chancellor announced an extension to business grants, an increase to the Government's contribution to the Job Support Scheme, and a doubling of self-employed support.
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Mr Street had written to the Chancellor warning of the damage that tier two restrictions would do to businesses in the hospitality sector.
He said: "These businesses across the West Midlands that are facing significantly reduced patronage due to the ban on households mixing will now have access to cash grants, which can be backdated, and will also see their contributions to the Job Support Scheme greatly reduced.
"This is exactly what I pressed for in my letter to the Chancellor, and it is brilliant to see him listening and responding to the needs of the West Midlands."
Black Country Chamber of Commerce chief executive Corin Crane said the measures were "a significant improvement for firms struggling with restrictions".
He added: "Chambers have been campaigning for greater support for businesses experiencing big falls in demand as a result of new restrictions.
'Businesses need support'
"The tourism, hospitality and cultural industry in the West Midlands contributes £12.6 billion to the local economy. These businesses need support and stability."
Labour's Shadow City Minister Pat McFadden, the Wolverhampton South East MP, said the Chancellor had been forced to beef up his winter economic plan "because he got it wrong in the first place".
He said: "Extra support is of course welcome but with each passing announcement, the impression is less of a Government with a grip on the situation and more of one without a plan.
"The truth is we face a huge jobs crisis over the coming months and we need a plan big enough to meet that challenge rather than the bits and pieces announcements we have seen over the last few weeks."
