HC Deb 25 April 2001 vol 367 cc278-9W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist businesses and individuals who have been financially disadvantaged by the cancellation of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival. [158346]

Mr. Caborn

The Government recognise that businesses in areas affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD) are under considerable financial pressure, while visitor numbers are down and high-profile events such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup are cancelled or postponed.

The Government are constantly monitoring the financial impact of FMD in the country, and have already announced a range of measures to assist businesses through any immediate financial difficulties, including a £120 million extension to the Small Firms Loans Guarantee Scheme (SFLGS).

In addition to these measures, the South-West Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) and Objective 2 partnership have identified over £4 million to assist with the immediate needs of the region and invest-in-recovery programmes to rebuild businesses and communities over the longer term.