Nick Ferrari grills minister over financial support for businesses

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Gillian Keegan reassured him that the Government would again be financially supportive as she ruled out furlough. LBC presenter Nick Ferrari voiced his concerns to Care Minister Gillian Keegan about the financial pain many businesses will endure if people follow England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty’s advice to avoid social mixing in a bid to combat the spread of the new Omicron variant. Mr Ferrari laid emphasis on the fact that last year businesses could rely on the government’s financial backing to help them navigate through the coronavirus crisis. This month is increasingly looking like the mirror image of December 2020, but Mr Ferrari doubted that a similar approach can be adopted as the government reportedly lacks financial muscle.

He also underlined that the hospitality and retail sectors normally thrive in November and December as the last two months of the year normally represent their best chance of increased profitability due to the high number of customers that usually flock to cafes, pubs and restaurants.

But the chance of making a lot of money to cover the quieter months throughout the year has now been snatched from them as history looks set to repeat itself.

Mr Ferrari claimed that a number of owners will feel aggrieved at the decision to dissuade people from visiting public venues little over a week before the festivities begin.

He told Ms Keegan:“A lot of businesses are saying that this is not proportionate and that is what’s known as the golden period, they love the back end of November and most of December as well.

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“Some businesses in hospitality said that [this period] takes 33% of their gross income. And they are losing books on a daily basis because of the government’s reaction. What would you say to those restaurateurs, hoteliers and pub owners?”

Ms Keegan replied: “I mean it’s terrible, at this time of the year. It also happened last year as well…”

But Mr Ferrari spotted a difference with 12 months ago, highlighting that back then businesses could rely on economic assistance and a financial support package.

He argued: “But they had backing, they had financial support. Shouldn’t that be the case now Minister that they are offered some form of financial support these restaurateurs and hoteliers?”

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It is understood that, unlike at this stage last year when things began to unravel, there are not enough funds available now to enable businesses to keep their heads above water.

But Ms Keegan settled some of Mr Ferrari’s nerves, saying that the government will come to their aid as much as they can. But warned that there may be no furlough in place this time as many people could be laid off.

She said: “We still have financial support in place.

“VAT is reduced up until March, business rates were reduced by 66 per cent up until March, business loans available, recovery loans available and there is some cultural fund available for some sectors as well. So we do still have some protection in place.

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“But we don’t have furlough in place but we do still have many of the other protections for the hospitality industry in place.

“And of course the Chancellor keeps everything under review. What we are hoping to do is to get everybody boosted as quickly as possible and get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

Even though Mr Johnson sat next to Mr Whitty during yesterday’s press conference, he did not necessarily sing from the same hymn sheet leaving it to individuals to make their own decisions as he opted not to follow Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s path in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Johnson said that it’s down to each individual to decide whether they want to socialise in indoor places and go to parties.

Covid infections are sweeping across the UK with a daily record of over 78,00 cases reported yesterday.

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