Final package of emergency support announced for Welsh businesses

Further money will be given to businesses who've to remain closed in July and August but Welsh Government say this is the ultimate package of emergency support.

Businesses in hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors and people within their supply chains including travel agents, attractions which are limited by social distancing and venues for college visits throughout July and August 2021 can get between lb1,000 and lb25,000.

Read more about what will happen when furlough ends in Wales.

Welsh Government express it would be the final package of emergency support for all those business that are able to trade, in line with the current degree of Covid restrictions. If new restrictions are needed in reaction to a different variant or any other emerging developments then Ministers will review the need for additional support.

Businesses had previously criticised the way grants and schemes had been distributed to date saying English businesses were improving terms than in Wales – something Welsh Government deny.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: "Because the start of pandemic, we have pulled every lever we can to back Welsh businesses.

"We've provided in excess of lb2.5bn funding to Welsh businesses, inside a package that's been designed to complement and make around the support supplied by the UK Government. We've also extended our 100% business rate relief package until the end of this financial year. This targeted approach, focussed particularly on backing small businesses and Welsh communities, helps protect more than 160,000 Welsh jobs which might otherwise have been lost.

"To support businesses further, I'm today announcing additional support to assist cover the expense of those business in Wales that require to remain closed, or remain significantly influenced by Wales' staged transition to Alert Level One, that was made necessary by the risks posed by the delta variant.

"This Welsh Government is determined to complete all we are able to to support Welsh businesses over these incredibly trying times."

To entitled to the new support, businesses must show their turnover has reduced by a lot more than 60% when compared to corresponding timeline in 2021 or equivalent. All eligible businesses will have to make an application for the funding.

An eligibility checker will open around the Business Wales website on July 5 using the fund opening for two weeks from July 13.