Cherry also highlighted that SMEs contribute just under half of GDP, and said the Government cannot afford to let them fail.
"If we want small businesses and the self employed to be able to get us out of this to recovery... then they also need some additional support going forwards," he said. "Many in the supply chain have long extended supply chains themselves, so being able to plan ahead, getting consistent and good messaging from Government is absolutely critical not just to get us through the Christmas period... but into spring and summer of next year."
The Government has extended the furlough scheme to help businesses make it through the coming six months. It has also provided grants to hospitality businesses, and provided a fund small businesses can apply to for support.
Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee said ahead of the meeting that the committee wanted “to examine the case for more tailored, sector specific support and what additional policies and measures will be necessary to help protect jobs, boost skills and training, and enable firms to create new jobs in the future”.
The chairman appeared alongside speakers including Kate Nicholls, chief executive at trade association UKHospitality, Marston’s pub group boss Ralph Findlay and PureGym boss, Humphrey Cobbold.
