Conservative MP for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, has welcomed new figures which show the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has protected 6,800 jobs in the Clwyd South constituency.
The scheme, which was launched by the UK Government in April to pay 80% of an employee’s wages through the COVID-19 pandemic, has protected a total of 316,500 jobs across the whole of Wales.
The UK Government also launched a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) which would allow self-employed workers to claim up to 80% of their average monthly profits. In Wales, more than 102,000 self-employed people have claimed a total £273 million from the scheme. In Clwyd South, there have been 2,600 recipients of the SEISS, with a total value of £7 million paid out.
On top of funding for both job protection schemes, the UK Government has made more than £2.2 billion available to the Welsh Government to support the Welsh NHS, charities, local government and businesses through the pandemic.
The CJRS scheme will continue to support jobs until the end of October, with flexible part-time furloughing beginning in July to support businesses as the economy reopens. The SEISS scheme has also been extended with those eligible able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,570.
Commenting on the news, Simon Baynes MP said:
“The support by the UK Government for Clwyd South workers and businesses has been unprecedented and historic. I’m proud that the UK Government provided this support to support local people and stop the spread of the virus.
“As we start to look beyond COVID-19, businesses can start to plan a return, safe in the knowledge that they have been supported – and continue to be – by the UK Government.
“I’m proud of the take-up of both the CJRS and SEISS and pleased we’ve been able to help almost 11,000 people in Clwyd South. As always, if you live in Clwyd South, and there’s anything I can do to help, I urge you to get in touch with me at [email protected].”
