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Today's Westminster Hall Parliamentary debate on a petition calling for a Minister for Hospitality in the UK Government starts at 4.30pm - just over 5 minutes' time! We'll be live-tweeting so make sure you're following along 
The debate has now started - you can watch along here 
https://www.parliamentlive.tv/
Thread will appear below!
https://www.parliamentlive.tv/ Thread will appear below!
MPs in the House of Commons are currently debating a petition signed by over 200,000 people calling on the Government to create a Minister for Hospitality within the UK Government.
You can see the petition
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/552201
You can see the petition
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/552201
Opening the debate, Chair of the Petitions Committee @CatMcKinnell makes the case that people who have signed the petition want a Hospitality Minister to be voice for the sector at the heart of Government, reflecting the importance of the sector.
. @CatMcKinnell is speaking about hospitality being crippled over the last year, with workers in the sector hit hard. While the industry is grateful for financial help, she argues there's a lack of deep understanding of the sector & a tendency to apply one-size-fits-all approaches
. @CatMcKinnell says that the existing support isn't enough to cover fixed costs and ensure the long-term viability of hospitality businesses - and calls for a long-term support plan, including extending the business rates holiday.
. @GregClarkMP praises the support for hospitality businesses but says that, having come this far, we must make sure they can get through the next few weeks so they can be at the forefront of the recovery once lockdown ends.
. @GregClarkMP asks for an extension of the business rates holiday, VAT cut, and the terms of the loans scheme - as well as scrapping the requirement to pay National Insurance on furlough contributions when businesses have no income.
Ealing Central & Acton MP @RupaHuq says a dedicated Hospitality Minister would stop the sector being an afterthought in government decision making - and says it is a matter of shame that so many pubs are closing every week.
Loughborough's @JaneMHunt is talking about the importance of local pubs to their communities, asking for business rate relief to be extended for another year.
1 in 20 people work in the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland, says @duponline MP Ian Paisley - calling for an extension of the VAT cut and a kickstart plan to support businesses when they can open up.
Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Pubs @charlotte2153 is calling for scientific evidence to be published on decisions affecting pubs.
Charlotte Nichols @charlotte2153 questions the scientific basis for preventing pubs from operating as an off-licence during this latest lockdown - and says grants so far are a 'drop in the pint glass' compared to what is needed.
Southport MP Damien Moore spoke about the wellbeing benefits that come from going to your local pub, and the role they play in local communities. He is calling for a clear roadmap for re-opening and giving enough notice to businesses when restrictions change.
@BenMLake AS/MP says landlords in Ceredigion are worried about their prospects for the future, and calls for extending financial support for the hospitality sector to save businesses from having to close for good.
James Wild MP @jamesowild says not being able to sell alcohol in closed containers with take-away meals during this lockdown is unfair to pubs in North West Norfolk/
. @SDoughtyMP says local independent pubs are facing significant difficulties, and speaks up for the importance of @brainsbrewery to Cardiff's pub culture - asking for support to make sure Brains beers can continue to be brewed in Wales.
St Austell & Newquay MP @SteveDouble praises the work being done by the sector to make venues COVID-secure, talks about the need for support to reflect the impact on pubs of having to close quickly when restrictions have changed & calls for reform to the business rates system.
John Spellar MP @spellar says hospitality businesses are on their knees - and questions decisions like the curfew which "made no sense" and showed little understanding of the industry.
