Calls for bespoke support for Yorkshire's 'major' caravan manufacturing industry

Labour’s Ms Hardy secured the debate over concerns for the industry, much of which is concentrated in Hull and East Yorkshire.

Due to the coronavirus lockdown the sector, which employs nearly 20,000 in the region alone and brings £9bn a year to the UK economy, has been hit hard due to its reliance on leisure and tourism.

Hull West and Hessle MP Ms Hardy and other MPs have called on the Government to give extra support.

Ahead of the adjournment debate in the Commons today, she said: “The leisure and tourism sector has been uniquely impacted by the requirements of the lock-down, the new rules on social distancing and the initial restrictions on even small gatherings, and the Government provided extra support for this sector.

“However, the caravan industry has not been made eligible for this extra support despite the fact that it is totally reliant on the leisure and tourism sector.”

Leading companies based in the area include, Swift, Willerby, ABI, Atlas, Delta, Coachman, Europa and Victory.

Earlier this month Ms Hardy, Hull East MP Karl Turner and Hull North’s Dame Diana Johnson wrote to the Chancellor asking for help and saying there was a “serious risk of collapse without further support for the sector”.

East Yorkshire council leaders have also appealed to the Treasury.

Hull City Council leader Stephen Brady and East Riding’s Richard Burton asked for specific measures to help manufacturers, and said: “The success of this industry will be key to enable the city and surrounding region to bounce back quickly post Covid-19 and also ensure the tourism spend is retained in England and we sustain a major producer sector which has significant export penetration for the UK.”

A Treasury spokesman previously said the department would “continue to support businesses as the economy reopens and people return to work”.