East's small business welcome Government support but want more clarity
Accelerated Business rates relief and the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate have been picked out as key support measures for those struggling
Latest Government support for business is welcome, but they must respond quicker and provide more clarity in the future.
That's according to Candy Richards, the Federation of Small businesses' development manager for East Anglia.
She's happy with this round of support but says its come too late:
"We're really pleased that the Government has now implemented many of the measures that were in our ten point plan to support small business. But I think that as these restrictions evolve and potentially tighten in the future, the Government must respond more quickly to give support and confidence to small businesses during this really challenging time".
Ms Richards also told us that our businesses mustn't be kept in the dark about what may be next:
"Small businesses really need certainty about what's coming down the line. So clarity around what the triggers are for additional measures would be really welcome. The Government also desperately needs to keep listening and having that dialogue with small businesses, so that the right measures can be implemented quickly".
She went on to say that the Government have clearly listened to businesses concerns:
"A real welcome move is that there is going to be an accelerated delivery of the ÂŁ1.5 billion business rates relief fund that will target those small firms in the supply chain. They might not have been directly affected by the latest restrictions, but because they are in the same system they've also been impacted by it".
She concluded by saying she's particularly pleased that Government is stepping in to help businesses dealing with rising infections:
"Many businesses are being hit by staff having to isolate because of the variant, or because they are having to care for family members. So, the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate will be really welcome and provide that extra support to business when we know that in January we might be looking at around a million people having to isolate".