A £110million support package for businesses affected by Wales’ new Alert Level 4 lockdown restrictions has been announced.
The restrictions, which are set to come into force after Christmas, include the closure of retail, hospitality and gyms.
The £110m support package, announced by Welsh Government, is in addition to the £340m package available to businesses under Alert Level 3, which Wales is currently under.
What support is on offer?
Businesses in the hospitality and non-essential retail sector, which are impacted by the new restrictions, receive small business rates relief and have a rateable value of £12,000 or less, will be eligible for a £3,000 payment.
Hospitality and non-essential retail businesses with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £150,000 will be eligible for a £5,000 payment.
Tourism, leisure, retail and supply chain businesses in the same rateable value bracket will also be eligible for this support if their turnover has fallen by 40% or more during the restriction period.
Source: Welsh Government
Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, made the announcement at Welsh Government’s coronavirus press briefing on Friday (December 18).
Ms Morgan said: “We are making incredibly difficult but necessary decisions to protect the health and lives of our people.
“We recognise these decisions have a knock-on effect on our economy and this will be another blow to many businesses who have had to deal with so much during this incredibly challenging year.
“To support businesses affected by these latest restrictions, we are making a further £110m available. We expect around 35,500 businesses in Wales will benefit from this support.”
Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “The vital additional support being announced today [December 18] will be administered by local authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association and I want to thank them for their ongoing hard work and efforts to ensure money reaches businesses quickly.
“Sadly, rising coronavirus cases mean we must take action now to drive the virus down. We recognise this is hugely challenging for businesses, but as a government, we will continue to do all that we can to protect them, our people and our communities through these difficult days.”
Hospitality and non-essential retail businesses, which are eligible for the support and were registered for non-domestic rate support during the firebreak lockdown, will be paid directly through Caerphilly County Borough Council.
All other eligible businesses, and those that didn’t register during the firebreak, will need to register with the council in January.
The Lockdown Discretionary Grant, worth up to £2,000, is still available for businesses which aren’t eligible for non-domestic rates.
More information about what support is available for businesses is available at businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice