The UK authorities has introduced a brand new set of one-off monetary grants to assist assist retail, hospitality and leisure companies in the course of the newest coronavirus lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed final evening (January 4) that England would be entering a new lockdown due to surging coronavirus case numbers and hospital admissions. Scotland also went into a separate lockdown at midnight final evening.
The lockdown has compelled the closure of all non-essential retailers, leisure and leisure venues, whereas pubs and eating places are solely allowed to supply takeaway meals.
These newest measures have prompted the federal government to supply one-off grants of as much as £9000 per property for companies in retail, hospitality and leisure in a bid to assist them keep afloat throughout this newest lockdown, which is predicted to final till mid-February in England. Scotland’s lockdown might be reviewed on the finish of January.
These grants are along with enterprise charges reduction and the furlough scheme, which has been prolonged till the tip of April. It’s estimated that 600,000 companies are anticipated to profit from these new grants.
Boris Johnson (Image: Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Chancellor Rishi Sunak additionally confirmed that £594 million might be made out there to affected corporations outdoors these sectors, with a complete of £4.6 billion set to be distributed to corporations and industries throughout the UK via these new measures.
“All through the pandemic we’ve taken swift motion to guard lives and livelihoods and at this time we’re asserting an additional money injection to assist companies and jobs till the spring,” Sunak mentioned.
“This can assist companies to get via the months forward – and crucially it is going to assist maintain jobs, so staff might be able to return when they’re able to reopen.”
Roger Barker, director of coverage on the Institute of Administrators, mentioned of the grants: “This new grant package deal is welcome, and can go some approach to reassuring the worst affected companies.
“The trail of the virus is extraordinarily unsure, and authorities should be agile in its response to stop lasting financial injury.”
Final evening’s lockdown announcement has additionally forced changes to GCSE and A-Level exams in England that are as a result of happen later this 12 months.
