Daniel Zeichner MP for Cambridge, commenting on the news that Suffolk brewer Greene King is set to axe 800 jobs and close 79 pubs, said:

“The fallout from the government’s handling of the COVID crisis continues and is being felt acutely by companies in hospitality like Greene King.

“Pubs were closed to keep us safe, were reopened to help save the economy, and now face the prospect of further restrictions on capacity and operating hours.

“Now, pubs are closing forever and jobs are being lost because of the uncertainty caused by the government’s failure to control the virus.

“Greene King and others in the sector were viable before this crisis and will be critical to our recovery.  Yet there is still no specific help from the Government for the hospitality sector.

“The Government needs to get a grip and ensure proper support is in place to save the hospitality sector, not turn a blind eye and consign workers and businesses to the scrap heap.”