Priti welcomes Budget Support for Businesses, Families and Freeport for Essex
The Witham MP, Priti Patel, has welcomed the Budget statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, that gives families and businesses ongoing help through the coronavirus pandemic and establishes a new economy boosting freeport in Essex.
To help families, the Budget included an extension of the Coronavirus Job Support Scheme to September 2021, help for more self-employed people by expanding the grant scheme to include people who filed tax returns for 2019/20, the continuation of the additional £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit and help for homebuyers with a new mortgage guarantee scheme.
More help has also been provided for businesses to create new jobs and apprenticeships, additional business rate reliefs, an extension of the VAT cut to 5% and cash grants of up to £18,000 for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses.
Priti Patel said: “In these difficult and challenging times, this Budget demonstrates that the Conservative Government stands firmly on the side of families and businesses. The Chancellor has responded to the impact that the pandemic has had with another comprehensive package of support, which will help many families and businesses in this part of Essex to support them during the crisis and to help them through the economic recovery.”
“The grants and business rates reliefs being given to businesses will save many jobs and help business owners to plan for their reopening in the weeks and months ahead.”
“Over the last year I have been raising with the Chancellor issues which businesses and families have faced and the measures he has announced will address many of their concerns and give them much-needed financial assistance.”
The Chancellor also announced that Harwich and Felixstowe will be included in one of eight regional freeports, where business will benefit from arrangements that will encourage investment and stimulate job creation. Priti, who made representations in support of a freeport coming to Essex, said:
“I welcome the decision for Harwich and Essex to be a part of the East of England freeport with Felixstowe. Freeports can help turbo-charge the economy and boost Britain’s place as an international global trading power. This will help create new local jobs and bring investment into our County.”