Support for hostels

That this House notes that hostels have been hit particularly hard by the covid-19 outbreak; further notes that shared spaces, such as bathrooms and kitchens, are often part of a hostel's business model and that this has made operating at full capacity, and even reopening, difficult for many while operating within the necessary public health guidelines; acknowledges that many hostels had viable business models and were flourishing before the covid-19 outbreak; recognises that many hostels play a key part in the rural economy, bringing visitors who support other local businesses; further recognises that in rural areas, hostels are often used by people who intend to take part in outdoor activities and that ensuring that people can still access healthy outdoor holidays at accessible prices will be important after the covid-19 outbreak; stresses that hostels must be supported so that they are ready to open and return to full capacity as soon as restrictions can be lifted; and calls on the Government to underpin health measures with economic support and urgently put packages of support in place for the hostel sector.