Thank you for contacting me about further support for businesses and self-employed people during this ongoing global pandemic.

I am proud to be part of a Government which moved so swiftly to help local business, to allow them to protect jobs and livelihoods. West Worcestershire has already received nearly £200 million in support - 12,000 people living in West Worcestershire were furloughed – worth £91 million – and 4,100 people have accessed the self-employment support scheme, getting £12 million. On top of that more than 1,500 companies in West Worcestershire have secured loans worth £71 million.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has now extended the job retention and support schemes for business and self-employed people and you can read the full detail here.

I hope that this is welcome news and I remain eager to help any constituent who needs help or guidance as this extended scheme is rolled out across the country.