A Vaccine rollout must align with a roadmap for economic recovery says Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Development and Innovation, Cllr Tom Jennings.
He says that while the welcome news of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine being approved is an unprecedented achievement for British science, it does little to ease the worries of business owners in Warrington and across the country, who need a recovery roadmap from the Government taking the country to the end of the vaccination rollout and into long-term economic recovery.
Cllr Jennings said: “Business confidence has reached record lows since the pandemic started and will undoubtedly deteriorate as more areas enter the highest level of restrictions, matched with the potential disruption of Brexit.
“Warrington has recently placed second in the UK for COVID high street spend recovery. This should hold us in good stead for the coming months but is at risk if the Government doesn’t extend business support in the wake of our town entering the highest level of restrictions. Already, business surveys show at least one-third of small business owners are concerned they will permanently close in 2021.
“Across many sectors, trade has dwindled whilst running costs swell. This shows little sign of improvement and business rates are set to restart from April, which will cost already struggling companies £12.8bn during 2021. The Government’s business rates holiday, therefore, needs to be extended beyond April, as does VAT relief, for businesses unable to trade and support for businesses forced to shut must be enhanced and better targeted.
“There are also around three million self-employed individuals across England who have been unable to access vital financial support since March, due to the Government’s arbitrary criteria. The £1.8 billion in returned business rates relief should be used to support those millions of UK tax-payers currently excluded, whom will play a vital part in our recovery.
“Local Authorities like Warrington also need the Government to come through on their pledge to plug our COVID-caused financial black hole. Throughout this pandemic, Warrington Council has faced significant demand increase, whilst stepping up to provide additional services without adequate financial support from Government. This must now be addressed.
“Whilst COVID restrictions have been vital, it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that they have not been for nothing. Unless a rapid vaccine rollout is aligned with a roadmap for economic recovery, businesses will continue to suffer, causing what is still entirely avoidable hardship for millions of hard-working families across the country.
“The Chancellor promised this year to do whatever it takes to support the economy through this crisis – and if the situation changes, he would not hesitate to take further action. In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, he must now fulfill these words.”
