Today the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced his Plan for Jobs; supporting, creating and protecting jobs across the whole of the UK as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 7,800 have been supported in Wrexham since the outbreak, which will now benefit from further measures as part of the UK Government’s plan to support businesses, create jobs and give young people the opportunity for a better start.
Included in the UK Government’s £30 billion Plan for Jobs:
- A temporary cut in VAT for the tourism and hospitality sectors, to give a much-needed boost to some of the industries hardest hit by coronavirus.
- A new Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, giving people up to 50 per cent off meals out at restaurants, pubs and cafes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August.
- A new Kickstart Scheme, which will create hundreds of thousands of new, fully-subsidised jobs for young people.
- A Job Retention Bonus, encouraging employers to retain staff who have been on the furlough scheme.
Wrexham’s MP, Sarah Atherton, has welcomed the Plan for Jobs set out by the UK Government, saying it provides much needed support for businesses across Wrexham.
“Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government has said it will do whatever it takes to protect people and businesses for the immediate economic crisis.
“As part of this more than 7,800 jobs in Wrexham have been supported through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), allowing employers to put workers on furlough while the Government supports their wages.
“Today the Chancellor set out the second phase of the Government’s response, focusing on jobs: supporting people to find the jobs that are out there, creating new jobs through investing in infrastructure, and protecting jobs by revitalising the hard-hit sectors upon which many jobs depend.”
As a result of today’s announcement, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £500 million through the Barnett Formula, to better support individuals, businesses and public services.
Sarah Atherton has called upon the Welsh Government to use this money wisely, and to mirror some of the schemes introduced in England.
Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement to cut stamp duty, Wrexham’s MP said:
“The announcement to temporarily scrap stamp duty on all homes under £500,000 in England will act as a catalyse to the housing market and boost confidence – helping to drive growth and create jobs.
“I call upon the Welsh Government to take similar action to help kickstart the market and help first-time buyers in Wrexham and across Wales.”