The government has to be fair to all areas of the economy in its coronavirus support for businesses.

That was the message from Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan in the face of calls for more help for the hospitality sector.

There were protests outside Tynwald ahead of Tuesday’s sitting, at which Claire Christian (Douglas South) asked for a statement on the economic impact on the hospitality industry and called for increased support.

Many of the protestors then went inside to hear Mr Cannan’s response.

Mr Cannan insisted there had been an ’extensive range’ of support schemes for the hospitality sector, amounting to about £30 million once the reduction of the VAT rate to 5% - estimated to have cost the government £12 million and the majority of which was to benefit the hospitality sector - was factored in.

He insisted: ’We are doing our job, we are stimulating the economy. We have protected business. We have protected families. We have protected jobs. We are going to carry on protecting.

’I empathise with the gentlemen and ladies in this court today who are fighting for their survival in very difficult terms, in very difficult circumstances, but we also have to be fair and deliver support that is fair both to the taxpayer but also fair and appropriate to the whole economy.

’I stand by the support that has been delivered to our economy as appropriate, fair and reasonable.’

Mr Cannan circulated figures that showed that catering, leisure and entertainment had received a total of £28.6 million in support, the food and drink manufacturing sector had received £2m and travel and tourism, including visitor accommodation £18.2m.

The hospitality industry lost 40% of its turnover last year, a report by PwC concluded. It’s predicted it will lose 30% again this year.

The government’s Business Premises Support Scheme has been extended to all businesses eligible for it.

This is a grant payment based on the cost annually of commercial premises business rates.

But it came under fire at the meeting of members of the hospitality industry earlier this month.

To be eligible for the grant, businesses and those who are self-employed must declare their turnover has been impacted by at least 25% in comparison with May 2019, plus must operate from commercial premises.

Mr Cannan said the need for help was not just limited to the hospitality industry

’We continue to support this industry and others across our domestic economy and we look to support them with a range of stimulus schemes into the future,’ he said.

’I accept it is tough for businesses at the moment in this environment. We should take confidence that what we are doing is having an impact.’

He said unemployment was down to 577, compared with a peak of 1,350 at the height of the pandemic.

’We were forecast that thousands of people would be unemployed as a result of this pandemic and we should be proud that this government has taken that figure down to 577.’