'Inconsistent' approach to tourism affecting young people's ability to work, says Leeds MP

Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel told the Yorkshire Post if was safe to open non-essential retail businesses in July then it was also safe to open less-risky places like holiday cottages, caravan parks and even pubs and cafes with outdoor space, as long as these places could be cleaned thoroughly and maintain social distancing.

“Many tourism businesses could put measures in place that would arguably make them safer than shops and would allow them to operate in a limited way," he said. "I think there’s an inconsistency here.”

In Yorkshire, coastal areas and historic towns and cities have been hit the hardest by lockdown.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get itA number of separate pieces of research have shown the towns of Whitby and Scarborough are particularly affected by the closure of hospitality and tourism businesses, along with parts of the Dales and the historic city of York.

Mr Sobel said: “Tourism and hospitality businesses are probably the main source of work for people finishing their studies or taking a summer break. And with the high levels of student debt, and rent to pay over the summer, not being able to work is going to have a hugely detrimental effect.”

People under the age of 30 make up nearly 45 per cent of workers in tourist industries in Yorkshire, by far the biggest age group, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Jack Strutt, 21, left his job at a sandwich shop in Whitby to work in a new fish and chip shop right before lockdown began.

He said: “For obvious reasons I haven't been able to start my new job. As I left my previous job and was unable to start the new one I couldn't get furlough pay which has left me struggling for money. If this continues for months I'm not sure what I will do.”

Mr Strutt has been left claiming universal credit, a situation he described as “very depressing”.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for a response.

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