Sunak splits the sector

From “hugely generous” to “nowhere near enough”, industry response to the chancellor’s latest round of business support was mixed to say the least. Speaking in the Commons yesterday (22 October), Sunak highlighted that the extent of the new funding – which will include £2,100 grants for businesses and an improved Short Time Work Scheme – was predicated on talks with hospitality operators and trade bodies earlier in the day, who informed the chancellor of a “significant fall in consumer demand, causing profound economic harm to their industry.” In light of the unsustainable position in which thousands of hospitality businesses under tier 2 restrictions have found themselves in recent weeks, he added that he made “no apology” for “responding to changing circumstances” - but does this ‘unapologetic’ response go far enough?