Preseli Pembrokeshire has benefitted from over £45 million worth of support from the UK Government to protect jobs, businesses and livelihoods disrupted by coronavirus.
Stephen Crabb, Preseli MP, has welcomed the support from the UK Government but added that specific support is still needed for certain industries.
In total, more than £160 billion has been provided as part of the Government’s economic response to coronavirus across the United Kingdom, and the latest statistics from the Treasury show the scale of that support in Preseli Pembrokeshire:
9,000 people have had their job protected through the Job Retention Scheme, which has allowed employers to furlough workers while the Government has provided up to 80 per cent of their wages.
Self-employed people in Preseli Pembrokeshire have accessed £9,6000,000 worth of Government grants, which do not need to be paid back, to cover lost earnings.
£37,464,945 has been paid out to local businesses in the form of Bounce Back Loans, which provides loans of up to £50,000 within days of an application.
This unprecedented package of support comes on top of the 1,391 loans offered to businesses across Wales, totalling £303,205,680.
Commenting on the Government’s support for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Stephen Crabb said:
“This year has been hugely challenging for people and businesses across Pembrokeshire, and these latest figures demonstrate the scale of support that the UK Government has put in place to support lives and local livelihoods.
“There will undoubtably be hard times ahead, and certain industries will require a more focused support approach. But as we work to restart our economy, I have no doubt that the Government will continue to support people in our local community so our county, and the country, can get back on its feet once again.
“Schemes such as the hugely popular Eat Out to Help Out are already proving a huge success at getting customers back into local businesses.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
“I recently set out the government’s next steps towards economic recovery and securing the UK’s long-term prosperity in our Plan for Jobs.
“As we embark on this next phase, the latest figures demonstrate that we are continuing to support jobs, incomes, and businesses across every part of the UK.”