ZCZC
BCN-06
HEALTH-VIRUS-BRITAIN-BUSINESS
UK launches new o4.6 bn plan to help virus-hit firms
LONDON, Jan 5, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The UK government on Tuesday launched an
extra o4.6-billion package for virus-battered businesses as England began a
fresh lockdown set to last weeks.
The financial support, equivalent to $6.3 billion or 5.1 billion euros,
“will help businesses to get through the months ahead — and crucially it
will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able
to reopen”, finance minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.
Sunak announced grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
worth up to o9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring.
Other impacted businesses would share o594 million.
The UK government has already pumped out billions of pounds in support
since early 2020 when the nation went into a first lockdown over the
coronavirus.
At the heart of this is a state furlough scheme paying the bulk of wages
for private sector workers.
The Bank of England is also pumping out vast sums of cash to prop up the
economy.
“Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and
livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support
businesses and jobs until the Spring,” Sunak said.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1616 hrs