To ask the Minister for the Economy what support she is providing to supply chain operators for airport-based retail, considering the ongoing impact of COVID-19 restrictions on travel.

On 22nd October I announced the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme (CRBSS).

The CRBSS will support businesses which meet the following criteria:

Part A

The business is restricted within the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 but is not eligible for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS);

Or

Part B

The business is within the supply chain of businesses restricted by the Regulations and as a result has been significantly impacted.

The new CRBSS will apply for the four week period of current restrictions.

Applications for Part A of this scheme opened on Wednesday 28th October, and details on Part B covering the supply chains will be published soon.

Further support for businesses and individuals have also been announced by the Chancellor for the Exchequer on 22nd October. This included improving the terms of the Job Support Scheme which was introduced to help employers retain their employees. It applies to businesses who have been required to close and those facing decreased demand, such as supply chain operators. Improved terms for the repayment of the various coronavirus loan schemes have also been introduced.

Executive Ministers have been asked to bring forward options for additional support for those who may not qualify for these latest schemes, or who may not have been able to avail of previous opportunities.

All of the latest information on the support available can be found on the NI Business Info and UK Government Coronavirus Business Support websites.