Yesterday Anthony took part in a Westminster Hall debate on the future of the coach industry. Watch Anthony's speech in the video above.
As Anthony explained, here in South Devon we have AB Coaches, Tally Ho and Millmans Coaches, all of which make a huge contribution to our community but which have struggled over the course of the pandemic.
Coach companies play an essential role in supporting the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors, which have a combined value of over £430 billion. If we wish for our economy to bounce back in the coming years, it is essential for us to support the businesses that are linked to these important sectors.
The Government has been extraordinarily generous in business support schemes this year, but we also need to ensure that businesses have the economic breathing space to thrive in months to come. Extending finance holidays, ensuring that greater access to support packages is available, providing an aid-to-trade grant to coach operators, and topping up home-to-school payments would all be greatly beneficial to the coach industry.
Anthony concluded his speech by saying "I want to stand up for businesses that are here today so that they are also there tomorrow, and I hope the government will act on that."