Seema Malhotra responds to ONS figures on Covid-19 impact on pubs

Seema Malhotra MP, Labour's Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers, commenting on today's ONS figures about the impact of Covid-19 on pubs, said:

"Pubs and businesses in the wider hospitality industry have been some of the hardest hit during the pandemic and so it's a good sign that business confidence is improving as the economy reopens.

"But to protect the economic recovery, Ministers must urgently address the £6bn debt burden facing the hospitality industry by introducing a flexible repayment scheme. Forcing businesses to pay back debt taken on during the crisis while still struggling to turn a profit is unfair and will harm the recovery.

"With changes to the roadmap being deliberated and pubs still facing reduced trade, the Business Secretary must also end the uncertainty for businesses affected and confirm that public health measures will go hand in hand with economic support."

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Notes to Editors

Economies of ale: pubs in the time of COVID-19 - Office for National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/economiesofalepubsinthetimeofcovid19/2021-06-08