The Welsh government’s decision to order agents to shut their offices from 6pm this Friday, along with pubs, restaurants, hotels, and other non-essential shops, as part of a “short, sharp” national lockdown, has left many businesses wondering what financial support will be made available during the time-limited ‘firebreak’ announced yesterday.
The announcement by the Welsh government to close businesses until 9 November follows rising case numbers in Wales and increasing hospital admissions, and replaces the 17 local lockdowns that had been in place.
Figures now stand at 130 coronavirus cases per 100,000 over seven days – there were 4,127 cases recorded between 9 and 15 October.
The Welsh government said that every company covered by small business rates relief would receive a £1,000 payment.
Small and medium-sized retail, leisure and hospitality firms that have to close will get a one-off payment of up to £5,000.
There will be additional discretionary grants and support for smaller firms that are struggling, the government confirmed.
In addition, businesses forced to shut will be able to access the support available through the existing UK government Job Retention Scheme or the new expanded Job Support Scheme.
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, commented: “The expansion of the Job Support Scheme will provide a safety net for businesses across the UK who are required to temporarily close their doors, giving them the right support at the right time.”
Lockdown is 6pm Friday 23/10 – early hours Monday 9/11 for all but essential business. Would have made a lot more sense to bring it forward a week and overlap it more with the Corona Virus Job Retention scheme up to 31/10/20. At least it would have made it easier for everyone to get support through an already existing channel.
A missed opportunity since they had already made the decision last week (as leaked documents proved) whilst going through the pretence of deciding yesterday….
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Its to cover the normal mass influx over the school half term from England. Possibly waiting for Boris, after asking him to stop travel but declined. I’m told they held back £900m that was given them in Spring for business’s support, specifically for this event that was expected.
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