Coronavirus: Foyle MP calls for business support

The Foyle MP welcomed moves by the Irish Government to introduce a €3bn targeted aid package and called on Boris Johnson’s Government to secure a similar package for affected businesses in Northern Ireland.

Mr Eastwood had called on the British Chancellor to use this week’s budget to introduce a temporary reduction in VAT on tourism and hospitality products to make up for the loss likely to be experienced as St Patrick’s Day events are cancelled to contain the virus.

Speaking from Westminster earlier this week, Colum Eastwood MP said: “The Irish Government has introduced a significant targeted relief package worth €3bn to protect businesses and the economy ahead of a deepening coronavirus outbreak.

“The British Government should follow suit and move quickly to provide assurances to business owners that they will be supported.

“I have called for St Patrick’s Day parades across the island to be cancelled in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. That will have an impact on businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector that rely on these festivals to boost sales at this time of year.”

Mr Eastwood said that in order to offer some additional relief to that industry, the Chancellor should use this week’s budget to introduce a temporary reduction in tourism VAT, “recognising the importance of these businesses to the North’s economy and the specific pressures we face over the next few weeks”.

“Our first priority is to safeguard the health of the people we represent,” he said, adding:

“It is important, however, that we minimise economic disruption as a result of coronavirus and seek to offer as much help as possible to affected businesses.