Minister for Hospitality: ‘The ayes have it’ as MPs vote in support of the motion

Entirely empty: businesses across the country are struggling as they remain closed
AFP via Getty Images
David Ellis @dvh_ellis11 January 2021

After a 90 minutes debate in Westminster Hall, MPs have voted in support of the motion to create a Minister of Hospitality. 

Brought to the attention of Government by a petition signed more than 200,000 times – including by some of the industry’s biggest names, with the likes of Angela Hartnett, Tom Kerridge, Tom Aikens and Jason Atherton all throwing their support behind it – the lively debate saw MPs on both sides come together to shine a light on the difficulties restaurants, pubs, bars cafes and more are all facing. 

While there will be no direct action as a consequence of the debate, it is hoped the result will put increased pressure on Boris Johnson to consider the proposal more seriously. 

The Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Paul Scully, did not appear convinced by the motion, arguing that "the sector is represented across Government" but he did acknowledge the role played by hospitality businesses as part of the “heart of the community”. Scully also detailed the support the sector has already received, mentioning the eviction protection in place for business owner forced into Covid-caused rent arrears, as well as furlough, recent grants, various loan schemes and the Eat Out to Help Out initiative. He argued that he and Mr Johnson “are doing all we can within government to understand and represent the interests of the sector.”

Scully was responding to challenges from the likes of Labour MPs Catherine McKinnell (MP for Newcastle North), Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) and Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North), as well as former business secretary and Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells, Greg Clark. 

McKinnell, who opened the debate, called on the Government to “recognise that the sector needs a strong voice in government with a genuine recognition of its diversity” said that such a voice “would be in the government's interest to put in place". 

Powell, who slammed the Government for its “scattergun approach" to its support for restaurants and bars, said that the Government "just isn't getting hospitality in all its forms" and called for "better leadership, focus and understanding".

Clark, meanwhile, emphasised the need to support businesses as they struggled through a third lockdown. “If they manage to survive, they will thrive in the future” he said,  “[which will] help repay the sums that have been set aside these last few months”. Clark pointed out that, with the vaccine promising a light of sorts at the end of the tunnel, it would make little sense to let places collapse now; Clark also used the platform to suggest more measures that could be taken in support of places, including an extension of VAT and business rate relief. 

With overwhelming support for the motion from those voting, victory was declared by chairman Graham Stringer without the need to listen to the nays. The question now is: will Mr Johnson pay any attention to it? 

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