In a quiet debate in Parliament last week, one Lancashire MP grabbed attention.
The MP rose to their feet to say people in the south of England enjoy opera and ballet. Real community football clubs are what matter to people in the north, my colleague added.
Maybe fans of Accrington and Sunderland display more outward passion than fans of Arsenal or Fulham.
But we know here in East Devon, many sports – not just football – play such a pivotal role as the beating heart of our communities at professional and amateur level. And they are no less diminished by our other cultural, entertainment and artistic enjoyments. Though, admittedly, I’ve never been to the opera or ballet.
Last month, I spoke up for the mighty Exeter Chiefs in Parliament and lobbied ministers to ensure it wasn’t game over for rugby clubs across the country as a result of the decision to postpone the return of fans. Now the government has announced a £300 million rescue package for sport.
I will make sure the Chiefs are given a helping hand from the £59 million going straight to the Gallagher Premiership to get through this difficult winter period. This is fantastic news and means the club can concentrate on building on last season’s domestic and European successes.
Non-league football clubs in East Devon, including Exmouth Town FC and Sidmouth Town FC, will also receive funding from this sport rescue package. I’ve spoken to both clubs over recent months and visited Exmouth Town to see the measures they’ve put in place to keep players and fans safe. Financial support provides a significant buffer to grassroots clubs because they often operate on tight financial margins. Ticket sales and matchday bar receipts are crucial.
Away from sports clubs, you only need to walk along our high streets or see photos on our local Facebook groups to see further visible signs of current national coronavirus restrictions.
It’s our high street cafes, pubs, restaurants, leisure venues and – above all – fantastic range of independent shops which feel the greatest pain being shut except for online delivery in key trading weeks in the run-up to Christmas.
It is only right and fair that swift action has been taken to continue to support businesses required to close over this four-week period. I fully recognise that they’ve been asked to play a difficult role in helping keep the virus at bay. This support includes extending the furlough scheme until April, further support for the self-employed covering 80 per cent of average monthly trading profits, extending applications windows for government loans, and government grants of up to £3,000 per month through the Local Restrictions Support Grant.
I’ve spoken to many independent shops who point out an inherent unfairness that supermarkets, for example, do not have to cordon off aisles selling homeware. This contrasts with the approach taken by the Welsh Government which created public confusion by requiring shops to stop selling non-essential items. In England, as in Wales, there are ultimately very few types of premises allowed to stay open.
Delivering financial support schemes for businesses at pace has been a challenge. Our existing business rates data helps get grants quickly to premises forced to close, but the impact of the pandemic is acutely felt on supply chains too – like a food service warehouse or wedding events company.
The government is again providing additional discretionary funding to local authorities so they can get money to open businesses nonetheless severely impacted by restrictions. If you run a business in this position, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Cases remain relatively low in the South West. Hospital admissions increased at the RD&E, and that’s why I reluctantly supported the time-limited national measures put forward by the government. I don’t rule anything out when voting on what follows on 3rd December.
We can’t let the treatment become worse than the disease.
This column first appeared in the Exmouth Journal on Wednesday 25th November, Sidmouth Herald on Thursday 26th November and Midweek Herald on Friday 27th November 2020.