Council supports Chamber's call for concrete action in support of businesses

The Leader and Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council have written to the Chancellor to urge him to support businesses and jobs in Birmingham following the introduction of Plan B measures.

Cllr Ian Ward and Cllr Brigid Jones shared their growing concerns in the letter, urging the Government to swiftly to protect those hardest hit by the latest restrictions and highlighted the Chamber 's recent report 'Plan B - A Blueprint for Business Support '.

Within its report, the Chamber is calling for Government to:

• Consistently review the need for additional financial support for businesses that are likely to suffer a drop in demand as a result of the latest measures
• Offer clear and practical advice for businesses that are expected to implement NHS COVID Pass entry into indoor and outdoor gatherings with less than a week 's notice
• Roll out the Business Rates Relief Fund before Christmas so local authorities can help impacted businesses as soon as possible
• Maintain a longer-term reduction of VAT in place beyond March to help those hospitality and non-essential retailers likely to suffer due to lower footfall in city centres
• Reduce the cost of PCR testing for international travellers in a bid to maintain demand in the aviation and travel industry
• Reintroduce free testing kits for businesses as more individuals are expected to take daily tests
• Explore options for utilising existing resources for supporting the most impacted businesses in the short-term
• Provide flexibility of the repayment of CBILs to those businesses suffering significant financial hardship but not classed as in distress

Henrietta Brealey (pictured), chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “More than a week has passed since the Prime Minister announced the introduction of Plan B measures, and we are still yet to hear of any concrete action from Government which will support businesses during one of their most important trading periods.

“Plan B measures have resulted in a significant blow to public confidence, already resulting in high levels of cancellations and a substantial decrease in footfall, and many businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about how they will survive this winter should restrictions continue to impact trade.

“As such, we welcome the support received by the Leader and Deputy Leader for Birmingham City Council in their letter to the Chancellor, highlighting our recent briefing paper 'Plan B - A Blueprint for Business Support ' and outlining the assistance that many businesses across Greater Birmingham so desperately need to see. We will continue to engage a wide range of regional partners and stakeholders to advocate for and support local businesses during this challenging time.

“Following two years of restrictions for our hospitality, non-essential retail and travel sectors, it is more important than ever that the Chancellor heeds our warnings and acts quickly to ensure that businesses in all corners of the country make it to the other side of the pandemic. ”

Cllr Ian Ward and Cllr Brigid Jones ' letter to the Chancellor can be viewed here.