On 12th May, Secretary of the APPG Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent, stood up in Parliament to question the Secretary of State for Business on how the Government would support the industry though the COVID-19 crisis.

Mr Smith said:

“This £6 billion sector is crucial to our economy, with many businesses on our UK high streets.

By nature, it is a very hands-on industry, so can the Secretary of State assure me that clear guidelines on PPE will be issued well ahead of these businesses reopening, so as to protect both staff and consumers?”

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Indsutrial Straetgy, Alok Sharma MP, responded:

“The hon. Gentleman raises an important point on behalf of a sector that he is working to represent.

We will continue to work collaboratively to come up with further guidance on sectors and industries that are not currently open.”

You can watch the full clip and the Secretary of State’s response here.