'A £3,000 per month Covid grant for some businesses is just the energy bill'

12 October 2020, 18:06

"A £3,000 per month grant for some businesses is just the energy bill"

By Sam Sholli

A leading night-time industry figure has told LBC of his concerns over Government measures to support firms required to close due to Covid restrictions.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, made the remarks after businesses in England have been told they can receive up to £3,000 per month after two weeks of closure.

The Government has also promised to support eligible businesses by paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%), up to a maximum of £2,100 a month.

Mr Kill told Shelagh Fogarty: "If you can understand, when the Chancellor announced that there was a 67% almost equivalent of a furlough commitment, that still leaves obviously quite a big difference between 67% and 80% which was the original furlough scheme."

He added: "The £3,000 grant which was announced really just understates the amount of money it costs to operate these businesses. I mean £3,000 over a month for some of these businesses is just the energy bill."

Read more: Boris Johnson confirms new three-tier lockdown system

Government treading fine line to provide support: Lord Sugar

"So I think there needs to be a more considered approach [and] some liaison with the sector in particular on some of these costs so that people can understand the impact they're going to have because a lot of these businesses are going to be pushed to the wire now."

Mr Kill was also critical of the Government's controversial 10pm curfew measure.

"As you know with the [10pm] curfew coming out and tipping everyone out on the street, it almost feels counterproductive to see what actually happens after 10pm," he said.

Liverpool Mayor reacts to tough lockdown announcement

His criticism mirrors one made by the owner of Soho's G-A-Y nightclub Jeremy Joseph, who last week told LBC of an occasion when people had to leave a venue of his at 10pm while it was raining outside and therefore were huddling together as they all took to the same place for shelter.

Mr Joseph told LBC that the 10pm curfew was "completely unsafe" and that "it makes absolutely no sense".

Meanwhile, earlier today, during his regular monthly Call Keir slot, Labour leader Keir Starmer told LBC he doubts there is scientific evidence behind the 10pm pub curfew.

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

LBC caller accuses Shelagh Fogarty of 'whitewashing' grooming gang statistics

LBC caller accuses Shelagh Fogarty of 'whitewashing' grooming gang statistics

'It makes me angry, it's a bit rich from him'

Jay accuses Robert Jenrick of using youngsters' poverty to chase clicks from the far-right

'How do you get Hamas out? We didn't get the IRA out...'

LBC caller from Northern Ireland warns trauma will perpetuate conflict in Middle East

LBC Caller: 'At least we know where we stand with Reform'

LBC Caller: 'At least we know where we stand with Reform'

LBC callers react to the local election results

LBC callers react to the local election results

Caller Heidi

Caller Heidi can't understand why the Ukraine minerals deal has taken the US so long

LBC caller reveals she was ignored by police when she reported elder abuse of her parents

LBC caller reveals she was ignored by police when she reported elder abuse of her parents

'Unreasonable' of IOPC to hold gross misconduct hearing into Chris Kaba's killer

LBC caller: 'Unreasonable' of IOPC to hold gross misconduct hearing into Chris Kaba's killer

Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle takes part in the Call the Cabinet phone-in on LBC hosted by Shelagh Fogarty.

Online safety laws not up for negotiation in deal to exempt Britain from Donald Trump's tariff plan, Tech Secretary tells LBC

"Pretty terrifying day": Wes Streeting sends "heart out" to those affected as three dead at care home.

'Pretty terrifying day': Wes Streeting sends 'heart out' to affected as three dead at Dorset care home

The Princess of Wales says she edited the photograph that was released to mark Mother's Day.

The insistence that we see Kate is tantamount to stalking, writes Shelagh Fogarty

Caller tells Shelagh his solution to illegal immigration.

LBC caller tells Shelagh Fogarty that the Channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration'

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' immigration policies

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' migration policies

Shelagh Fogarty

Former Treasury official outlines 'three immediate priorities' likely to be reflected in Autumn Statement

Shelagh Fogarty

Suella Braverman's hardline crime bill seems like she's ‘interviewing' for career at ‘pathetic’ news channels, says caller

Shelagh and caller Sam

Anti-Semitic chants and actions 'delegitimize' pro-Palestinian cause asserts this Shelagh Fogarty caller