Chancellor’s jobs statement: CCN response

CCN Latest News, CCN News 2020 | 24 September 2020

Today the Chancellor has announced a new Jobs Support Scheme, beginning in November.

Below, the County Councils Network responds.

Cllr Barry Lewis, economic growth spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:

“County areas are some of the most exposed to the economic shocks of the virus, with six million people working in sectors ‘at risk’ of widespread closures, especially in retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. For many individuals, the furlough scheme has been a lifeline and we welcome today’s announcement on wages being topped up for six months.

“Considering different areas have differing needs, local action will need to dovetail national policies. County authorities have set out ambitious and imaginative plans for their local economies to recover, but we will need further targeted local resource, and fresh powers so have all the tools at our disposal to ‘level-up’ our communities in a post-pandemic world.”