In an exchange in the House of Commons earlier today, Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, was offered a meeting to discuss support for businesses in the Two Cities by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. You can read the exchange in full below or watch it above.
Nickie Aiken MP – Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I warmly welcome the Chancellor's statement, particularly the extension of the VAT 5% cut until next March. I know that many of the hospitality businesses in my constituency of the Cities of London and Westminster will also welcome this as they grapple with the loss of tourists and office workers. Many are reporting trading is at 20% of normal levels. Would my Right Honourable Friend therefore agree to meet with me and representatives of theatres and the hospitality and retail sectors to discuss what further measures we can hope for to support the West End recovery?
Deputy Speaker – Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP - Well, my Honourable Friend is absolutely right and I know she's spent a lot of her time focused on this issue and her businesses and her constituency are facing an especially hard time. I'd be delighted to meet with her and them to see what more we can do to support them.
