Berwick MP welcomes measures to boost tourism and hospitality businesses across Northumberland
- VAT to be cut for six months for all businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and attractions industries, including up to 570 businesses in Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency.
- Public urged to ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ with new voucher scheme to encourage people to support local restaurants throughout August
The Chancellor has announced a much-needed boost for tourism and hospitality businesses in Northumberland, as part of his Summer Economic Update to kickstart the economy post-coronavirus.
Berwick-upon-Tweed MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan has welcomed the measures, which will see VAT for hospitality, accommodation and attraction businesses cut from 20 per cent to 5 per cent for six months. The move is designed to support the sectors which have been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, helping businesses to recover and boosting the number of jobs across the country. Up to 570 businesses could stand to benefit from the measures in Ms Trevelyan’s constituency alone.
Anne-Marie has also urged local people to “eat out to help out”, following the announcement that the Government will pay for up to 50 per cent of people’s meals out at restaurants, pubs and cafes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August. The Eat Out to Help Out scheme will entitle everyone to a discount of up to 50 per cent on their meal, up to a maximum of £10 per person. Businesses can claim the money back from the Government, which will be paid in five working days. Up to 360 businesses in Ms Trevelyan’s constituency could benefit from the move.
Taken together, these measures will provide a timely and much-needed boost to the tourism and hospitality industries in Northumberland, forming a key part of the Government’s plan for jobs – supporting people to find jobs, creating new jobs and protecting jobs in hard-hit sectors.
Anne-Marie said: “We should not underestimate how difficult recent months have been for many businesses in Northumberland. Now that the virus is coming under control, we must turn our attention to creating and protecting jobs. I have seen for myself the fantastic measures put in place by our fantastic tourism sector here in Northumberland, which will enable visitors to enjoy our countryside and coastline once more, whilst ensuring everyone stays safe.”
“This fantastic new voucher scheme, along with the cut in VAT, is the much-needed lifeline many businesses have been calling for. I am also hopeful that the fantastic measures aimed at creating new jobs for young people, and rewarding companies who retain furloughed staff, will also be a great boost for Northumberland.”
ENDS
Photos: Anne-Marie visiting the Origami café in Alnwick and the Waren holiday park in Bamburgh to see the measures they had put in place to welcome back guests.