Matt Hancock pledges to raise Edinburgh hospitality sector's concerns with Chancellor

HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has pledged to raise concerns about government support for Edinburgh’s hospitality and tourism sector with the Chancellor.

Answering questions from the Evening News at the daily Downing Street briefing, Mr Hancock acknowledged the huge gap that will be left in the Capital’s economy by the cancellation of the Edinburgh festivals due to coronavirus.

And he said he would discuss the issue with Rishi Sunak.

With hospitality expected to be among the last sectors to reopen, bars and restaurants have warned that if they are still closed they will not be able to contribute to the cost of furlough as required from August.

And they have said that even when they are permitted to reopen, social distancing rules may mean it is not economically viable.

The News asked Mr Hancock whether the Government would continue full funding of furlough for the sector or consider a new scheme to support it.

Mr Hancock said the furlough scheme was one of the most generous in the world and had been extended from its first deadline.

“The details of how it works is for him and the Treasury and I’ll take your comments back. I do understand the importance of it, particularly in Edinburgh which especially during August has always relied on such an enormous influx of visitors for the Festival. I understand the specific concern and I’ll take that away and talk to the Chancellor about it.”