New statistics released this weekend show the huge government support for self-employed workers in Swindon.
6,200 people in Swindon have accessed £16.7million worth of government grants via the second tranche of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
These grants do not need to be paid back and will help to cover lost earnings.
This is in addition to the support given to self-employed workers via the first tranche of the scheme –worth £24.1million in Swindon.
Self-employed people have had six months of income support during the coronavirus pandemic – one of the most generous schemes in the world:
• A first grant, covering up to 80% of average monthly profits, was made available for March to May • A second grant, covering up to 70% of average monthly profits, was made available for June to August
Throughout the pandemic, the government has provided a huge and unprecedented package of economic support to protect lives and livelihoods, worth more than £160billion.
Meanwhile, new figures show that over 90,000 workers in the South West returned to their jobs part-time in the first month of the flexible furlough scheme.
The scheme, introduced on 1 July, gives businesses the flexibility to bring employees back part-time, with the government paying 80% of their wages for the hours not worked.
Since the start of the pandemic, the furlough scheme has protected 808,900 jobs in the South West.
By 31 July, 357,500 people were on furlough – 266,900 full-time and 90,600 part-time.
It means 44% of those furloughed had returned to work full-time by the end of July.
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said:
““Here in South Swindon, we have many excellent small local businesses, so I am pleased that the government has supported self-employed workers at this very difficult time, when it has been needed the most.
“In addition to the financial support for self-employed workers, I have been running a “Small Local Business Support Campaign”. Small local businesses are at the heart of our local economy and it is vital that we keep them going strong.
“I have been in touch with many local businesses here in South Swindon throughout this time. I have been promoting the wide range of services they offer locally on my website and social media pages and encouraging people to use them.”
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said:
“The Coronavirus outbreak has been an extremely challenging time for businesses, and I have been very pleased to see the Government step support to help thousands of self-employed people in Swindon. We know the challenges are not over, but I am confident that the Government will continue to build on the unprecedented package of support it has already made available.”
