Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 amid third UK lockdown
The funding comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK will enter a third lockdown from 5th January until at least February half-term in order to help control the spread of coronavirus, meaning that non-essential shops, hospitality and leisure facilities must remain closed.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:
“The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge – and whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.
“Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the Spring.
“This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen.”
The funding is provided on a per-property basis and is expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties, worth £4 billion in total.
A further £594 million is also being made available for Local Authorities and the Devolved Administrations to support other businesses not eligible for the grants.
