England’s third national lockdown: grants and support

As announced by the Prime Minister earlier this week, England’s third national lockdown has legally come into force today (Jan 6).

All of the UK is under strict measures, with the majority of Scotland as well as Wales and Northern Ireland also in lockdown.

MPs are to vote retrospectively on the new regulations, which will allow the latest lockdown to be in place until the end of March 2021.

Consequently, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure will receive new top-up grants – worth up to £9,000 per property – to support them until spring.

Companies do not have to pay the money back and a further £594m discretionary fund has also been made available by the Treasury to support other impacted businesses.

“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,” said Sunak.

“This new cash injection 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.”

There is also business rates relief and the furlough scheme, which has been extended until the end of April 2021.