Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a new support package for businesses affected by tier 2 coronavirus restrictions today, with support targeted for hospitality firms which have seen their trade drop due to the measures.
Areas in tier 2, such as Birmingham and London, currently do not benefit from the same government aid as those in tier 3, which have business grants and wage support, because they can remain open.
Mr Sunak will make a statement to the Commons on Thursday following complaints from industry leaders and MPs that thousands of jobs are at risk due to the restrictions.
“The chancellor is due to update the House of Commons on the economic situation, in particular, and so far as it relates to the new restrictions,” the chancellor’s spokesperson told the PA news agency.
“And, what we have always said is that our package of support is always flexible and always up for review to make sure that it is dealing with the situation as it evolves.”
In tier 2 “high” risk areas, households are banned from mixing indoors, cutting off a major source of trade for pubs and restaurants.
