Local Member of Parliament Carla Lockhart has said the Government must ensure the Northern Ireland Executive has the financial firepower to support our hospitality industry in light of the impact of regulations and public health messaging from the Health Minister.

Carla Lockhart said:

“Since the Health Minister’s decision to bring forward vaccine passports, and with the continued public health messaging discouraging people from visiting hospitality venues, the industry has been decimated. We see the social media posts from well established businesses, who are on their knees with a tsunami of cancellations resulting in empty restaurants. It is heartbreaking and we need to see action to save these businesses. 

Key to this is the financial firepower being made available to Stormont to provide direct support to businesses. We have seen such vast sums of support delivered by Westminster throughout the pandemic. We do not come with a begging bowl once again, but out of necessity.

It is wrong that these businesses are effectively being emptied by public health policies without support being provided. I am working to secure further support from the Government and to build upon the additional £75m secured over the weekend. 

Businesses must be protected. Jobs must be protected. We need to act soon or it will be too late.”