Government urged to issue more support for small firms

The Government must issue more support for small firms in the highest tier, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Last week, the Government announced every area in England falls into one of three alert levels, with restrictions tightened and many areas being placed into the higher tiers in order to safeguard the gains made during the period of national restrictions.

The first review point for the current tier allocations will take place by 16 December 2020, allowing the possibility of areas that continue to make progress in slowing the spread of the disease to be moved down a tier in advance of Christmas.

Responding to the announcement, Mike Cherry, national chair of the FSB, said this will be “tough news” for many firms but the announcement will be a crucial step to ensuring that small businesses are able to plan and prepare for the weeks ahead.

He said:

“These past nine months have been among some of the most difficult that small firms have ever had to endure and that hardship looks set to continue.

"For those placed in tier 3 where the tightest restrictions are set to be implemented, the Government must make sure that all firms are given the proportionate levels of support that they'll need to survive through what normally will be the busiest time of the year.

"Small firms in all tiers will also want reassurance about how long these measures will remain in place, and the longer term measures we can expect to face in the New Year. In order to safeguard jobs and livelihoods, the Government must set out a roadmap as soon as possible.”

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