All-Party Parliamentary Group launch inquiry to assist recovery of businesses

The inquiry will aim to publish its findings by mid-May.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism is launching an inquiry to determine ways to support the recovery of businesses hit by COVID-19.

The inquiry will assess what is needed to get businesses in these sectors “back on their feet”, providing forward-looking recommendations to guide the UK government as it moves to thinking about recovery. It aims to publish its findings and report by the middle of May, ahead of any planned reopening.

The inquiry will also look at a number of critical areas, including the “right” timing for the reopening of the sector, business support to help the sector transition to the “new normality”, guidance for businesses, reigniting the sector’s supply chain and marketing the sector.

“Collectively, tourism and hospitality add around £80 billion to the UK’s economy and in normal times employ 3.3m people,” Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, Steve Double MP said.

“It is vital that, as the danger of COVID-19 passes, these businesses are able to hit the ground running and return to full strength as rapidly as possible. Ensuring these sectors get back on their feet quickly should be one of the Government’s top priorities,” he added.