Coronavirus: MP says help is out there for struggling Chesterfield businesses

Mr Perkins welcomed a £350bn support package announced by the Government for businesses but said the loan guarantees plan still left ‘many holes’.

“We need to make sure that this is helping all businesses, their staff and the self-employed,” the Labour MP said.

“If there are businesses in Chesterfield who think they might need to lay off staff or are at risk of collapse, I urge them to get in touch so that I can ensure that they are accessing all the potential support that is out there and hopefully protect as many jobs as possible.

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“I will also raise the case of firms or industries not helped by the Government’s package.”

Firms from all sectors that are eligible for small business rate relief or rural rate relief will be able to claim a cash grant of £10,000 during the crisis.

A grant of up to £25,000 will be provided to all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses operating from premises with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000.

These grants will be administered by Chesterfield Borough Council and will begin to be issued from early April. Further information relating to this will be published soon.

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The Government has also announced that businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry in England, regardless of their size, will get a business rates holiday for the whole of the 2020/21 tax year.

Mr Perkins added: “I welcome the business rates holiday and possible £25k grant for businesses in the retail, leisure & hospitality industry, but think this should also be extended to a number of other sectors.

“For example, I have already been contacted by a local estate agent who will see a massive reduction in business and who need help like other businesses.”

Any business owners or self-employed people with outstanding tax liabilities who are struggling financially can call the HMRC helpline on 0800 0159 559 for advice.

More details and updates about the measures to help businesses can be found here

Mr Perkins can be contacted by calling 01246 386 286 or emailing [email protected]