Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivered his ‘Plan for Jobs’ to Parliament this afternoon and the hospitality sector could be set to reap significant benefits.
The Chancellor’s #PlanForJobs is hoping to spur the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Delivering his Summer Economic Update in Parliament today, Rishi Sunak announced a package of measures that will look to “support jobs in every part of the country”, give businesses “the confidence to retain and hire”, and “provide people with the tools they need to get better jobs”.
The hospitality sector is looking to hugely benefit from the newly announced ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme in August.
Speaking on the Plan For Jobs package today, Rishi Sunak said: “Throughout this crisis I have never been the prisoner of ideology. For me, this has never just been a question of economics, but of values.”
“We believe in the nobility of work.”
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“We believe in the inspiring power of opportunity [and] we believe in the British people’s fortitude and endurance.”
“Our plan has a clear goal: to protect, support and create jobs.”
“It will give businesses the confidence to retain and hire, to create jobs in every part of our country, to give young people a better start [and] to give people everywhere the opportunity of a fresh start”.
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We want to reward employers who successfully bring staff back from furlough.
If you bring back someone who was furloughed – and continuously employ them through to January we'll pay you a Job Retention Bonus of £1,000 per person. #PlanForJobspic.twitter.com/j4UnLpz1xs
2/ Everyone buying a main home under £500,000 will pay no stamp duty at all. It takes effect today until March 31st 2021 and means 9/10 people of main home buyers will pay no SDLT at all.
We're reducing VAT to 5% for goods and services supplied by the tourism and hospitality sectors.
This is a £4bn catalyst benefiting over 150,000 businesses, and consumers everywhere – all helping to protect 2.4 million jobs. #PlanForJobspic.twitter.com/B9LKptz4Qy
To support restaurants and the people who work in them we’re saying ‘Eat Out to Help Out’.
So for the month of August we will give you a 50% reduction, up to £10 per head, on sit-down meals and non-alcoholic drinks Monday-Wednesday. #PlanForJobspic.twitter.com/D6eznIDjqC
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
The Manc -
8th July 2020 
