Millions of pounds in Government support given to Salisbury's self-employed

Figures from the Government show exactly how much help self-employed people have been given since the Covid-19 crisis began in March.

People could apply for an initial grant, which covered up to 80% of their average monthly profits, from March to May.

A second scheme was then launched covering June to August, where the self-employed could apply for a grant to recoup up to 70% of their average monthly profits.

Here's the breakdown of how much has been given out in each of our parliamentary constituencies in Wiltshire, during the second tranche of support:

• Salisbury - 2,800 claims have been made, totalling £7.6 million of grant funding

• South West Wiltshire - 3,000 claims made, adding up to 8.2 million of support

• Devizes - 2,400 claims have been made, totalling £6.5 million of help

Since the scheme began, a total of £11.8 million has been given out to support self-employed people in the Salisbury constituency, £13 million in South West Wiltshire, and £10.4 million in the Devizes area.

The money is aimed at covering lost earnings, and doesn't have to be paid back.

Salisbury's MP John Glen has responded to the numbers:

“Over the past six months, the government has taken swift and decisive action to support self-employed people through an extremely challenging period for our country.

“At the start of the pandemic, the Chancellor said he was prepared to take whatever actions were necessary to keep the economy going, and I am pleased we have been able to prioritise helping self-employed people across South Wiltshire during this time.”

WORKERS COMING BACK FROM FURLOUGH

New figures from the Government also show that 44% of workers across the South West who had been furloughed during the pandemic had returned to work full time by the end of July.

The scheme protected a total of 808,900 jobs throughout the region.