Berwick MP welcomes extra help for jobs, hospitality and tourism in Chancellor's budget

Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan has welcomed the Chancellor’s moves to protect jobs and support the hospitality and tourism sector in Northumberland.
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She supports Conservative colleague Rishi Sunak’s decision to extend a 5% reduced rate of VAT for tourism and hospitality for six months to the end of September.

The 100% business rates holiday in England will also continue from April until June and the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of September.

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Ms Trevelyan said: “I am pleased the Chancellor has focused on jobs in his budget. Continuing to protect jobs via the furlough scheme extension, and supporting the self-employed until October, including the newly self-employed who had previously missed out. The £20 uplift in Universal Credit will also be extended for a further six months to support families.

Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan.Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

"I was especially pleased with the doubling of the apprenticeships grant to £3,000 for all new apprentices of any age. I know local companies are keen to take on and train apprentices and this is a great incentive.”

She added: "93% of apprentices remain in employment or go on to further training so this is a great investment in future jobs, especially for young people whose prospects have been hit hard by this pandemic. A new Help to Grow scheme will support companies with management and digital skills to aid productivity and growth.

“Crucially for hospitality in Northumberland, the Chancellor has listened to me and other colleagues calling for extra help for our local tourism businesses, and has agreed to extend the VAT cut to October, after which it will be tapered to really help the recovery of our tourism industry. They will also be helped by the business rates holiday which has been extended to the end of June and will be reduced by two thirds until the end of March 2022.

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“The UK economy faces a difficult period as we ease restrictions and work our way back to normality, but the Office for Budget Responsibility is now forecasting a swifter and more sustained recovery than expected in November last year, so we are on track to six months quicker return to ‘normal’ than predicted.”

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