A PARLIAMENTARY campaign to save UK hospitality businesses has been launched by Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq.

Ms Huq, whose late father was a restaurateur, has tabled a motion calling on the Government to extend the job retention scheme and remove the business rate and VAT relief ‘cliff edge’.

It has cross-party support, with signatories including former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley. 

The MP, who has previously spoken out against the rate of curry house closures, also urged the creation of a Minister for Hospitality.

She said: “Hospitality businesses drive the health of our high streets and the viability of our suburbs and towns.

“Pre-pandemic, there were 5000 hospitality-related jobs in Ealing Central and Acton, which accounted for 6.8% of all jobs. 

“But these jobs and businesses are now facing existential threat, and I fear the Government is not doing enough to get hospitality out the other end of this crisis.   

“I urge the Chancellor to look seriously at my common-sense proposals.”   

Rachel Harty, founder of campaign group HospoDemo and an Ealing resident, said: “It is imperative the Government looks to significantly increase grants to hospitality businesses urgently.

“The majority are on a financial cliff-edge and cannot survive much longer without trade.”

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