Denis Sheehan, Wednesday 29 December 2021
In the interview below with Sky News Gillian Keegan MP reassured hospitality businesses government has provided sufficient financial support already, saying people are going out, and venues remain “pretty full”. Keegan’s conclusions draw from data acquired through her and her sister conducting market research over recent days, visiting two London restaurants.
“I have been out a couple of times – my sister is over from the States, so we have been out to a couple of restaurants – and they have been pretty full.
“I’m obviously in London at the moment, but I think people are still going out, but they are just taking a lateral flow test before and obviously being a bit more cautious.”
Keegan reassured hospitality businesses that government had already issued a £1bn package of measures for the sector before the festive period and implied further assistance is not necessary.
The minister added that, after Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced no new restrictions would be implemented in England before 2022, people should “enjoy” themselves over the New Year, “but cautiously”.
Keegan suggested those attending events should consider going to well-ventilated places if possible and take a lateral flow coronavirus test beforehand.
Figures from UKHospitality show hospitality businesses on average in the week leading up to Christmas alone have lost circa £10,000. Data from Springboard shows that footfall throughout Christmas has been significantly depressed. Bothy outcomes are a direct consequence of government advising people to ‘cautiously’ manage their own decisions. Washing their hands of any decision making, or support of any real substance.
Even if Keegan only possesses rudimentary math skills loosing £10,000 in one week is not in any way counterbalanced by a grant of between £2,700 and £6,000, in fact that surely equates to a loss of between £7,300 and £4,000?
The full interview can be seen below on Sky News
