Rishi Sunak accused by Labour of snubbing appeal for help from his own constituent

Criticism growing of chancellor’s plans to save jobs

Labour have accused the chancellor Rishi Sunak of snubbing an appeal from one of his own constituents for help during the coronavirus crisis.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer quoted an email he said he had received from a wedding venue owner in Mr Sunak's Richmond constituency.

The businessman warned that his “appears to be the forgotten industry” and that he faces having to make staff redundant.

Ministers expect a rash of job losses as the government’s furlough scheme comes to an end next month.

Mr Sunak bowed to pressure last week to offer limited extra help for workers, in a bid to try to save jobs.

But his Winter Economic Plan (WEP) has come under fire amid accusations it will do little to encourage employers to keep posts open.

Mr Sunak has also been accused of failing to help staff, such as those in events management, who currently cannot work because of coronavirus restrictions introduced by the government.

In the letter the unnamed business owner warned that the WEP “does nothing to help us”, and that his events team faces being made redundant.

He added: “I have tried asking Rishi Sunak for help as he is our local MP without success”. .

 At Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, Sir Keir challenged Boris Johnson: “What, on behalf of the chancellor, does he say to that business owner?”

The prime minister replied that the answer was “very clear” and referred to the WEP. He added that the wedding venue sector had had a “particularly tough time and of course i feel for the gentleman …. But the best way forward, for him and for all our businesses, is if we all pull together now”.