Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East

The Government is consigning big employers in Bristol to the scrap heap. Multiple businesses in the exhibitions and events sector have contacted me over the last few months regarding the total lack of support from the Government. If they don’t get help soon, they might not be able to reopen.
The Government’s messaging is that it is helping all viable businesses. So, why is it not helping the exhibition and events sector? I asked Alok Sharma, the Minister for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy about this today, and received a disappointing response.
There is still no provisional date for when they can reopen, still no support, and still no replacement for the furlough scheme for business that legally can’t reopen. It is also worth keeping in mind that this sector was excluded from the Government’s grants. They have been hung out to dry by this Government, and urgent action is needed to keep this sector alive.
The exhibitions and events sector
The Government is consigning big employers in Bristol to the scrap heap. Multiple businesses in the exhibitions and events sector have contacted me over the last few months regarding the total lack of support from the Government. If they don’t get help soon, they might not be able to reopen. The Government’s messaging is that it is helping all viable businesses. So, why is it not helping the exhibition and events sector? I asked Alok Sharma, the Minister for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy about this today, and received a disappointing response.There is still no provisional date for when they can reopen, still no support, and still no replacement for the furlough scheme for business that legally can’t reopen. It is also worth keeping in mind that this sector was excluded from the Government’s grants. They have been hung out to dry by this Government, and urgent action is needed to keep this sector alive.
Posted by Kerry McCarthy MP on Tuesday, 29 September 2020