Cornwall Council’s leader says he is calling on the government to extend its furlough scheme for the tourism and visitor economy in Cornwall.

In a report set to be discussed on Friday, Cornwall Council leader Julian German states that the Government is being lobbied to extend the furlough scheme for the tourist industry until Spring of next year.

With most tourism related businesses currently closed, there have been calls for tourism to be made a special case by the Government in providing support.

If tourism businesses are able to open this summer there is uncertainty for many about whether they will be open to the usual capacity and to what extent they will be able to trade.

The report, by Cornwall Council leader Julian German, states: ’The need for additional support to the tourism/visitor economy including the continuation of flexibility in furlough arrangements through to spring 2021, resolution of refund and business interruption insurance guidance and a national communication plan to manage summer holidays and promote out of season breaks has been identified and the board will continue to press Government on these issues.’

An argument broke out yesterday relating to the issue of the tourist industry, after comments made by Cornwall Council’s Cabinet member for the Economy, Tim Dwelly, appeared in The Times.

Cllr Dwelly was reported as having said that ’Cornwall Council thinks it would be better to support the tourist industry with grants and support, rather than have a summer season’.

The article began with the line that ’Cornwall Council wants tourists to stay away this summer because residents fear being swamped by the ’Magaluf gang’ who would normally holiday abroad’.

The Conservative group on the council have called for the retraction of Councillor Dwelly’s statement

The Cornish Times has asked Cornwall Council and Cllr Dwelly for a comment to explain the Council’s and his position.

The report by Council leader Julian German will be on the agenda at the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board, when it meets to discuss Cornwall’s recovery from the Coronavirus outbreak.

This board is made up of representatives from a number of organisations including the Council, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and Cornwall’s six Conservative MPs.