Wealden MP Nus Ghani, has welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget announcement which extends existing measures supporting businesses through the pandemic and introduces new schemes of support which will help protect jobs and small businesses in her East Sussex constituency.
Nus Ghani said: “Small businesses are the backbone of Wealden’s economy and I welcome the support announced by the Chancellor today which will protect our local jobs and aid swifter recovery of our high streets.
"I am pleased that as we work to restart our economy, businesses will benefit from new grants of up to £18,000, extension to VAT cuts and extension to the furlough scheme. I am also pleased that over 600,000 more self-employed people will now be eligible for Government support as access to grants is widened."
A further £65 billion worth of support will be provided in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes amongst others the extension to the furlough scheme, more support for the self-employed, further support for currently closed businesses, extension to VAT reductions, extension to stamp duty holiday extension and new recovery loan scheme. More than £400 million in additional support will be handed to museums, theatres and galleries in England to ensure they can reopen once restrictions start to ease.
An additional £10 million will be distributed through grants by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support veterans with their mental health needs, and an extra £19 million will be spent on domestic violence programmes to reduce the risk of re-offending and to pilot a network of respite rooms to provide specialist support for vulnerable, homeless women.
Nus said: “I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices of the men and women in our Armed Forces, past and present and I am pleased that we can go further to provide post-service support and security that they deserve.
"Incidents of domestic abuse in Wealden have been on the rise this past year, as the pandemic has been a particularly challenging time for those trapped at home with an abuser.
"I have been campaigning for more resources for victims of domestic violence and abuse since my election to Parliament and I am pleased that the Government has committed to providing further protection of victims of this devastating crime.”
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