Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Coach Operators and Manufacturers

Thursday 28 January 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has made available a range of support measures for UK businesses, including the coach industry.
  • Coach operators and manufacturers can contact their local authority for discretionary funding provided by the Government.
  • The Minister acknowledges the challenges faced by the coach sector and recognises its diversity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the impact of reduced demand on the coach industry due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Question

What plans does the Government have to support coach operators and manufacturers during periods of reduced demand as a result of the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Robert Courts

A range of support measures have been made available to UK businesses, including the coach industry, such as the coronavirus job retention scheme. Coach operators and manufacturers can also contact their local authority regarding discretionary funding provided by the Government for companies experiencing a severe impact on their businesses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific targeted support measures for coach companies were not detailed.

How: Contacting Local Authorities

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Q2 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Business & Trade
Context

Despite previous government support measures, many small, community-based coach companies have struggled to access necessary financial assistance during the pandemic.

Question

Notwithstanding that answer, I have a simple question: why have Ministers still not committed to providing targeted support for coach companies, most of which are small, family-run, community-based businesses that provide essential support to other sectors but have been unable to access coronavirus support packages?

Answer from Robert Courts

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter. I know that he led a very well-attended debate in Westminster Hall just before Christmas. This is a very challenging time for the sector; I entirely recognise that. It is a very diverse sector, and it is difficult to have a one-size-fits-all scheme. A variety of support has been provided by the Government, such as the Department for Education's money to provide additional support for school and college transport, the Department for Transport's money to support Christmas travel and the Treasury's funding for the additional restrictions grant.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific targeted support measures were not detailed; only general support initiatives mentioned.

How: Difficulty In One-Size-Fits-All Scheme

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