MP backs Chancellor’s ‘Covid recovery’

Montgomeryshire MP, Craig Williams, said that 7,000 jobs in Montgomeryshire have been saved so far by the UK Government, and believes today’s Covid recovery budget will provide a well-needed boost for the local economy.

As the number crunchers from across the political spectrum study the eye-popping packages released by Chancellor Rishi Sunak today, Mr Williams said that his Plan for Jobs will provide much-needed support to businesses across Montgomeryshire.

Mr Williams pointed out that 6,800 local workers have been furloughed since the start of the crisis in March, and added that the Government’s second phase places the emphasis on those workers being retained with a £1,000 sweetener available for employers for each one kept on until at least January.

Further measures which apply to Wales include: 

·      A temporary cut in VAT from 20% to 5% for the tourism and hospitality sectors.

·      A new Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, giving people up to 50% off meals out at restaurants, pubs and cafes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August. 

·      A new Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully-subsidised jobs for young people.

·      Introducing a Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – Providing £50 million to pilot new approaches for retrofitting social housing – meaning warmer and more energy efficient homes.

·      Supporting Decarbonisation – a £1 billion fund to improve the energy efficiency of public sector buildings.

Today’s package will also release an extra £2.8 billion of support for the Welsh Government.  

“The Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs brings more huge investment of up to £30billion across the whole of the UK,” said Mr Williams.

“I am very pleased that Wales will also benefit greatly from this package, and measures such as the temporary VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors will provide welcome relief to many businesses across Mid Wales.

“As we turn our attention to carefully reopening our economy, it is right that the Chancellor is doing everything in his power to support, protect and create jobs. Our plan will be a lifeline for countless people and businesses across Montgomeryshire, which has already saved nearly 7,000 jobs within the constituency and brought in over £10.5m of support for the self-employed.

“By levelling up the whole country, we will give businesses the confidence to retain and hire, create jobs in every region and ensure young people have the opportunity of a better start.”