Welcoming increased support for businesses and people
At midnight tonight, South Yorkshire will move into Tier 3 and so be affected by a range of new measures, each designed to help bring down levels of the virus.
The new measures commence from 00.01hrs on Saturday 24 October. From this time, the rules mean that household mixing will no longer be allowed either indoors or outdoors (with some exemptions) and that pubs and bars that do not serve substantial meals will have to close.
Recognising that these new measures are highly likely to affect local jobs and incomes, I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of a significant increase to the economic support schemes being made available.
Businesses that operate in ‘Very High’ alert levels, such as ours, will qualify for more support, whether closed (up to £3,000 a month) or open, (support will be provided through business support packages provided to Local Authorities).
In addition the ‘Open Job Support Scheme’ has been made more generous to protect jobs in those businesses facing decreased custom.
Self-employed grants will be increased, moving from 20% to 40%, as a result the maximum grant will go up from £1,875 to £3,750.
Grants will be made available to all self-employed people who've stopped trading or who experience a significant fall in trade, with two further payments to come, and with a further grant for the period from February to April.
You can find more information about these changes here, and I will post more information on my website as soon as further information is made available.
Notes:
The following support is estimated to have been provided to constituents and businesses across Penistone and Stocksbridge (figures to August)
- CBILS: 61 loans with a total value of £16,889,400
- Bounce Back: 977 loans with a total value of £27,098,944
- Business rates holiday: 400 properties with a total value of £6,997,838
- Nurseries rates relief: 13 properties with a total value of £68,100
- Small business grants: 935 grants with a total value of £9,350,000
- Retail/hopsitality/leisure grants: 231 grants with a total value of £3,810,000
- Local Authority discretionary grants: 38 grants with a total value of £205,200
- Self employed support - 3,400 claimants who claimed £9.8million
