North Wales has received unprecedented economic support to protect jobs and businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak with the UK Government’s furlough and self-employment schemes having been a lifeline for millions of people and businesses.
Figures show that 69,100 jobs in North Wales have been protected through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, with UK Government grants covering 80 per cent of people’s wages, up to £2,500 a month, while 21,300 self-employed people in North Wales are receiving grants worth a total of £58,100,000 from the UK Government’s Self Employment Income Support Scheme to help with the impact of Coronavirus.
Commenting, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood said:
“This is a hugely challenging time for people and businesses, and it is thanks to the UK Government that the livelihoods of thousands of people here in North Wales have been protected.
“More than 316,000 jobs have been protected across the whole of Wales, along with support for 102,000 people who are self-employed. The financial support for the self-employed in Wales, worth £273 million, is in addition to the £2.2 billion the UK Government made available to the Welsh Government to support our Welsh NHS, charities, local government and businesses through the pandemic.
“This country has a world-leading economic response to coronavirus and as we move through the second stage of our roadmap to recovery, we are determined to kick-start the engine of our economy while continuing to provide flexible support to those who need it.
“We will do everything we can to ensure people can pay their bills and put food on the table – as people continue to stay alert, to control the virus and save lives.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said:
“Our economic response to coronavirus was designed to keep people in work, protect people’s incomes, and support businesses. These measures have been on a scale unmatched by any government in recent history. All to give us the best chance of recovering quickly as the economy reopens.
“Now our energies are focused on getting people back to work safely, growing the economy and ensuring people can thrive in the new post-Covid world.”
ENDS