A total of 3,500 self-employed people in Thirsk and Malton have accessed more than £9million worth of Government grants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme’s second tranche. These grants do not need to be paid back and will help to cover lost earnings. Altogether this means that more than £160 billion of Government support has been provided to help individuals and businesses in all parts of the UK.
This figure is in addition to the support given to self-employed workers through the first grant worth nearly £16million across Thirsk and Malton.
Self-employed people have had six months of income support during the coronavirus pandemic which is one of the most generous schemes in the world. This included a first grant covering up to 80 per cent of average monthly profits made available for March-May, followed by a second grant covering up to 70 per cent of average monthly profits for June-August.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic the Conservative Government has provided a huge and unprecedented package of economic support to protect both lives and livelihoods worth more than £160 billion.
I have spoken to hundreds of self-employed people across my constituency over the past few months and I know that this money has been a life-line in these difficult times. This year has been hugely challenging for self-employed workers in Thirsk and Malton and I totally sympathise with them. Many are looking at new ways of doing business or adapting by using the latest technology and I am behind them every step of the way. These latest figures demonstrate the scale of support that the Conservative Government has put in place to support their livelihoods. Never has the Conservatives’ agenda to level up the whole county been so important by giving our entrepreneurs the confidence they need as they look ahead to the future.