PRESELI MP Stephen Crabb has warned that many tourism businesses will need ongoing financial support when the scheme that is covering staff costs during this crisis comes to an end.
During this week’s Wales Questions in Parliament, Stephen Crabb spoke about the importance of the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as a “lifeline” for many businesses at this time. But he warned that many tourism businesses do not have the cash reserves to contribute to the costs of furloughing as it becomes co-financing later this summer. He questioned Welsh Secretary Simon Hart on the possibility of extending the scheme for vulnerable businesses.
So far, 8.4 million jobs have been protected by the furlough scheme and a further £6.8 billion has been paid out to 2.3 million self-employed workers.
Commenting after the Questions session in the Commons, Stephen Crabb said: “Many of these tourism businesses have not been able to earn any money since the end of last season. With Welsh Government looking unlikely to allow any late tourism season in Wales this year, they are effectively facing the prospect of a 12 month winter with little income.”
“The Welsh Government have given little clarity or guidance to the tourism and hospitality sector about when they will be able to operate again and under what conditions. Tourism is incredibly important to our local economy and faces some of the biggest impacts of this crisis.”
Stephen Crabb has been in regular contact with tourism businesses across the constituency since the coronavirus outbreak, and has led a digital forum with some of the key tourism and hospitality businesses in the area with further digital forums planned for the near future.
