With the turmoil surrounding the Omicron variant and the effect this is having on hospitality, culture and arts businesses, Rishi Sunak has answered calls to help by unveiling a £1bn support package for businesses hit by the heightened advice and restrictions. Sunak said of the support: “businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors are facing huge uncertainty at a crucial time. So we’re stepping in with £1bn of support”. The help made available includes: · Grants

To try and help the tourism and hospitality industries after their toughest year ever. The Government made VAT 5% on hospitality (except alcohol), holiday accommodation and most attraction tickets from July 2020-September 2021. In October this rate was raised to 12.5% but this rate will only be in place until 31st March 2022 when the usual VAT rate of 20% will resume. This 12.5% rate of VAT currently applies to: · Theatres · Fairgrounds · Theme parks ·