WITH the announcement of a new national lockdown in England, Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson CBE has welcomed the Government's increased support for businesses.

Throughout the pandemic, Mr Timpson says his priority has been to support people's livelihoods in Eddisbury.

The Chancellor has already set out the Government's economic package of support for businesses over the winter, including monthly grants for closed businesses worth up to £3,000 per month, extending the furlough scheme to April and providing further SEISS grants to support the self-employed to April.

But given further national restrictions that will prevent further spread of the virus announced yesterday by the Prime Minister, the Government is providing additional support to the most affected businesses, worth £4.6 billion across the United Kingdom.

This support includes a one-off grant for closed businesses in England of up to £9,000 and £500 million in discretionary funding provided to English local authorities to support local businesses.

Welcoming the new support, Mr Timpson said: "I recognise that this new lockdown has come as another enormous blow to businesses up and down the country as we kick off 2021.

"This support will go some way towards cushioning that blow.

"I commend all of Eddisbury's business owners for their patience and endurance during the pandemic.

"The news of the vaccine roll-out heralds the light at the end of the tunnel – we just need to hold on for a little while longer.

"But we will get to the end of this crisis together."