Treasury responds to The Star's call for more support for Sheffield firms

A spokesman said the government would review the economic situation and consider further support for business and it was keeping beer duty under review.

The Treasury responded after business editor David Walsh called for a cut in beer duty for breweries and an extension of support grants at the daily Downing Street session.

The #RaiseTheBar campaign promoted by Sheffield BID seeks to increase the threshold for £25,000 ‘retail, hospitality and leisure’ grants from a rateable value of £51,000 to £150,000.

And brewers want the government to cancel the burdensome beer duty for six months when they are allowed to restart operations.

The Treasury spokesman said: “We keep all taxes, including beer duty, under review.

“The Chancellor has outlined an unprecedented package of measures to protect millions of people’s jobs and incomes as part of the national effort in response to the coronavirus.

“So far the government has provided over £8.6 billion cash grants to hundreds of thousands of businesses and £8 billion has been claimed through our job retention scheme, supporting businesses across the UK.

“And we are giving all businesses who need it due to Covid-19, including brewers, more time to pay their tax bills, with no interest or late penalties.”

Support includes:

*Time to Pay is available to all firms and individuals who are in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and are unable to pay their tax on time or have existing liabilities.

* Anyone who runs a business or is self-employed and is concerned about paying tax due to coronavirus can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice: 0800 024 1222

* HMRC have made it easier for brewers to claim back the duty on any beer they have had to throw out as a result of pub closures: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/destroying-spoilt-beer-during-coronavirus-covid-19

* For information on how to access financial support packages please see: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

* The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund has been designed to support small businesses in some of the sectors hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of covid-19.

* In order to ensure that payments can be made quickly and efficiently to businesses which are facing particularly high fixed costs, the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund is tied to the business rates system, which defines small businesses as those with a rateable value below £51,000.

The spokesman added: “The government continues to review the economic situation and consider what support businesses need.”