Truro and Falmouth Member of Parliament Cherilyn Mackrory has welcomed the announcement from the Chancellor that businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 as part of £4.6 billion coronavirus support for businesses in the new lockdown.

A £594 million discretionary fund will also be made available to support other impacted businesses.

This follows the Prime Minister's announcement last night that these businesses will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the virus, and, together with the wide range of existing support, provides them with certainty through the Spring period.

The cash is provided on a per-property basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions, and is expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties, worth £4 billion in total across all nations of the UK.

Cherilyn said:

"This is good news for businesses in Truro and Falmouth and I welcome the Chancellor's provision of this additional funding to support businesses through this difficult time.

"The business support grants and discretionary funding will again be administered by Cornwall Council and my team and I will continue to do all we can to support local businesses in Truro and Falmouth in being able to access this support as soon as possible."

A further £594 million is also being made available for Local Authorities and the Devolved Administrations to support other businesses not eligible for the grants, that might be affected by the restrictions. Businesses should apply to their Local Authorities.

The new one-off grants come in addition to billions of existing business support, including grants worth up to £3,000 for closed businesses, and up to £2,100 per month for impacted businesses once they reopen.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak added:

"This 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."

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