CALLS have been made for the government to provide financial support for businesses trying to recover from the pandemic.

The Green Party has called for the business rate holiday and tourism VAT cut to be extended through 2021 in order to provide financial support for independent businesses.

This comes after it emerged last month that the government would legislate against the ability to appeal.

But the Green Party says the appeal system was a “lifeline” for small, independent businesses going through financial difficulties with lockdown restrictions.

Southampton Green Party spokesperson, John Spottiswoode, said: “Non-essential retail, hospitality and leisure are some of the sectors in the UK hardest hit by Covid-19.

“It’s only right the government extends the business rate holiday for a significant period of time and offers immediate financial support to those companies.

“Many of these small businesses which are often family-run were struggling to compete with online retailers before the pandemic began and for a year they have been pushed to the brink of closure.”

The calls come after the Greens laid out their plan for small businesses to get back on their feet but an HM Treasury spokesperson said: “We’re committed to building back better and greener from the pandemic, and are providing small businesses a way out of hardship through our £352bn support package.

“This includes restart grants worth up to £18,000 each, and extensions to businesses rates relief, furlough, and the cut to VAT for the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors.’’