LOCAL MPs have welcomed the UK Government's Plan for Jobs announcement.

On Wednesday, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the scheme which aims to support, create and protect jobs across the UK as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

Included in the UK Government’s £30 billion Plan for Jobs is:

  • A temporary cut in VAT for the tourism and hospitality sectors, to give a "much-needed boost" to some of the industries hardest hit by coronavirus,
  • A new Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, giving people up to 50 per cent off meals out at restaurants, pubs and cafes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August.
  • A new Kickstart Scheme, which the Government says will create hundreds of thousands of new, fully-subsidised jobs for young people.
  • A Job Retention Bonus, encouraging employers to retain staff who have been on the furlough scheme.

More than 7,800 have been supported in Wrexham since the outbreak, and 8,200 in Clwyd South, as part of the Government's Job Retention Scheme. .

And their respective Conservative MPs, Sarah Atherton and Simon Baynes, have welcomed the latest announcement.

Wrexham’s MP, Sarah Atherton said: “Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government has said it will do whatever it takes to protect people and businesses for the immediate economic crisis.

“As part of this more than 7,800 jobs in Wrexham have been supported through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), allowing employers to put workers on furlough while the Government supports their wages.

“Today the Chancellor set out the second phase of the Government’s response, focusing on jobs: supporting people to find the jobs that are out there, creating new jobs through investing in infrastructure, and protecting jobs by revitalising the hard-hit sectors upon which many jobs depend.”

As a result of Wednesday's announcement, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £500 million through the Barnett Formula, to better support individuals, businesses and public services.

Sarah Atherton has called upon the Welsh Government to use this money wisely, and to mirror some of the schemes introduced in England.

Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement to cut stamp duty, Wrexham’s MP said:

“The announcement to temporarily scrap stamp duty on all homes under £500,000 in England will act as a catalyse to the housing market and boost confidence – helping to drive growth and create jobs.

“I call upon the Welsh Government to take similar action to help kickstart the market and help first-time buyers in Wrexham and across Wales.”

Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South, said: “Throughout the coronavirus crisis, the UK Conservative Government has stood squarely behind people and businesses with one of the largest and most comprehensive packages of support anywhere in the world.

“As we turn our attention to carefully reopening our economy, it is right that the Chancellor is doing everything in his power to support, protect and create jobs. This plan will be a lifeline for countless people and businesses across Clwyd South.

“By levelling up the whole country, we will give businesses the confidence to retain and hire, create jobs in every region and ensure young people have the opportunity of a better start.”