The Coronavirus pandemic is one of the biggest socio-economic challenges we will have faced in our lifetimes. Today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has set out an unprecedented £330bn package of measures to support businesses and individuals get through the next few months as the Government works hard to surpress the pandemic.
The measures that the Government has committed to today will result in a £1.6bn package available to the Welsh Government to provide further grants to businesses, in addition to the commitment already made to provide business rates relief to certain industries. Time to pay arrangements for tax liabilities are available to businesses by contacting HMRC on 0800 0159 559.
We have worked with lenders and banks to ensure a three month mortgage payment holiday for those who may struggle to meet their commitments, and in the coming days the Housing Secretary will announce further measures to help those in rented accommodation. The Government has already committed to ensuring Statutory Sick Pay is also available from day 1 rather than day 8.
This is an unprecedented sum of money for an unprecedented time - equivalent to 15% of our GDP - which will provide much-needed backing to Welsh businesses. We must stand by our amazing local businesses who need our support more than ever.
I sincerely hope the Welsh Government will pass on the Chancellor’s financial support package to Welsh businesses as quickly as possible and will work constructively with our excellent Secretary of State to ensure we do all we can to support people through this difficult time."
