PRA reacts to Chancellor's announcement
PRA 09/07/2020
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has welcomed the package of measures to stimulate the economy announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
On 8 July, the Chancellor announced a number of measures in the Summer Economic Update to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 lockdown.
The measures include:
• VAT cut on hot takeaway and eat in food from 20% to 5% from July 15 for restaurants and cafes and other retailers.
• An "Eat Out to Help Out" discount will apply to meals eaten at any participating business, Monday to Wednesday, and will be 50% off in August, up to a maximum discount of £10 per head. Businesses will need to register through a website, which will open on July 13.
• A Job Retention Bonus will be introduced to help businesses keep furloughed workers. UK Employers will receive a one-off bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee who is still employed as of January 31 2021.
• A new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will help employers create jobs for young people at risk of long-term unemployment. Funding available for each six-month job placement will cover 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
• Businesses will also be given £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25 between August 2020 and January 2021.
“We welcome the measures announced by the Chancellor to help members retain and recruit staff and to stimulate foodservice sales”, said Brian Madderson Chairman of the PRA.
About the RMI
The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.