West Sussex leader calls for 'jobs-focused' Budget
Crawley's been one of the areas hardest hit by the pandemic
A 'jobs-focused' Budget is needed to pull places like Crawley out of economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to its borough council leader.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce on Wednesday (March 3rd) that the furlough scheme will be extended until September as many continue to find themselves unemployed or unable to work.
Around 23,000 people are currently in that situation in the West Sussex town, according to Peter Lamb, with many having to find alternative work following job losses at Gatwick Airport.
Of those, 6,030 people are currently out of work, 12,528 on furlough and 4,200 claiming the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.
In an open letter to Mr Sunak, Mr Lamb said that the town had been placed under a 'unique threat' caused by the impact of the pandemic on the aviation sector.
He also raised concern about the lack of money provided for the town, saying that Crawley had received 'no more support' from the Government than towns least affected by the restrictions.
That included £25 million promised as part of the Town Deal before the General Election, which Cllr Lamb said had yet to be granted.
Cllr Peter Lamb said:
‘On the ground, everyone is working together to try to protect jobs and attract new employers to Crawley, but there are a number of things we simply cannot do without Government support.
‘Before the pandemic Crawley’s economy was booming, growing by a quarter during just my time as Leader, the only reason families are struggling right now is due to restrictions imposed by the Government.
"The Budget on Wednesday is the Government’s chance to do the fair thing and show they are willing to work with us to put things right."