TOWN Hall chiefs have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to provide a funding lifeline to businesses who have ‘slipped through the net’ amid the coronavirus crisis.
Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden and Cllr Tom Jennings, cabinet member for economic development and innovation, wrote to the senior Tory to add their voice to the calls for the £1.8 billion in returned business rates relief to be used to support the millions excluded from Government support during the pandemic.
In the letter, they said: “There are around three million businesses across England who have been unable to access vital financial support since March, including newly self-employed, new starters denied furlough, PAYE freelancers and directors of small companies.
“More needs to be done to ensure they receive the funding to which they are entitled – funding which is crucial for their survival.
“While we recognise the unprecedented challenges and welcome the financial support that has been provided so far, we are aware of many local businesses who are in desperate need of help and have been left out.
“Much of this is down to the arbitrary rulings which are causing so many to be excluded, yet could be so easily fixed.”
Labour pair Cllr Bowden and Cllr Jennings say the ‘supermarket windfall’ should be allocated to fix the oversights and injustices which have caused months of misery and hardship for hard-working entrepreneurial UK taxpayers, whom ‘our economic recovery will depend on’.
They added: “The returned money provides a real opportunity to make a difference.
“That’s why we are joining Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, in calling for these funds to be used to support the millions of businesses who have ‘slipped through the net’ and feel they have been abandoned.
“This is in keeping with the views of Tesco chairman, John Allan, who has expressed his hope that the returned business rates relief will enable additional support for those businesses who need it most.
“Warrington has a strong entrepreneurial community, with small companies, freelancers and the self-employed forming the backbone of our local economy.
“Like other local authorities, we have received a huge volume of requests for support. We have heard many stories of the anxiety and uncertainty faced by those who do not meet the funding criteria.
“It is taking a huge toll on the mental health of so many people, who fear that without urgent support, their businesses will be forced to close.
“Let’s take this opportunity to address this unfair situation, by putting this funding to good use and giving all of our businesses the lifeline they need and deserve.”
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