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<p>Following the suspension of racing on 18 March 2020, DEFRA, which leads on horse
welfare, worked with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on a weekly basis to
quickly agree guidance for the care of racehorses during this lockdown period in line
with social distancing.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>DCMS officials have also been
in regular communication with the BHA and the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB)
regarding the economic impacts of Covid on the industry and the measures being taken
to uphold horse welfare. The BHA has also taken part in regular calls with the Minister
for Sport, Tourism and Heritage and representatives of the sporting sector on these
issues and the resumption of racing and other sports behind closed doors.</p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>The government has provided enhanced support to the retail, hospitality
and leisure sectors, which includes the racing industry, given the acute impacts of
COVID-19 on those sectors. A range of measures to support all businesses were made
available, including business rates relief, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme. The government has provided access
to £10k grants to 700,000 small and medium enterprises who are currently eligible
for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>On
17 April, the HBLB and Racing Foundation agreed an immediate £22 million cash flow
and hardship funding package to support racing. The HBLB has reported on these packages
on a weekly basis with the main racing bodies including the BHA.</p><p> </p>
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