A Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate has called for more action for self-employed Montgomeryshire residents who have missed out on financial assistance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alison Alexander said self-employed residents in north Powys are in "dire need" of support, and has called on Conservative MP Craig Williams to help constituents who are "falling through the cracks of government support".

She said: “Montgomeryshire’s self-employed are being let down by their Conservative representatives and the UK Prime Minister.

"Self-employed residents have been reaching out in desperation for someone to listen and help them. They have no lifelines left and have no access to any financial support from the Government.

"The announcement on extra support made last night by Chancellor Rishi Sunak has once again excluded millions of hardworking taxpayers, they have simply been forgotten.”

A National Audit Office report published in October found that up to 2.9 million were excluded from the support schemes.

The Senedd candidate from Llanfyllin added: “We must arrange help now. The impact on people’s mental health could be severe and long-term, affecting them and their families.

"Plus, the Chancellor would do well to remember we will need these entrepreneurial people to help the economy recover when the pandemic is finally over.

“Both the Welsh and UK Governments must rethink their decisions on Covid-19 financial support for these hard-working families as a matter of urgency.”