The Government is firmly behind businesses in North Yorkshire as we emerge from lockdown and start to rebuild the economy stronger than ever and the latest figures show the extent to which the Treasury has supported jobs, incomes and businesses across all parts of the constituency.
In Thirsk and Malton this means that by the end of June 13,700 workers have been furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme; 5,100 self-employed have made a claim through the Self-employment Income Scheme; 1,884 local businesses have benefitted from the government backed Bounce Back Loans and a further 77 businesses have taken advantage of the government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme facilities totalling £74,729,185. Altogether 1,146 local business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector and 9 nurseries will pay no business rates this year and 3,707 local businesses have received cash grants of up to £25,000.
This has been a hugely challenging and worrying time for businesses across Thirsk and Malton with thousands of people worried about their future prospects and livelihoods. Without this government support many would have collapsed within weeks of lockdown in March and this would have meant thousands of job losses. I congratulate the many businesses which have shown real entrepreneurship over the past six months and have managed to find to find new ways of keeping going. I am delighted that many others have now started to trade again and that we can at last welcome back visitors to our beautiful county. I want people to know that I am fully supportive of all businesses across the constituency and am here to help wherever I can.