Witham MP and Home Secretary Priti Patel is backing our spirited, dynamic business community to recover from the unprecedented challenge of Covid

THROUGHOUT the pandemic, many of our local businesses have experienced pressure and difficulty.

The impacts on them have varied across different sectors and business types and over the last year-and-a-half I have had direct contact with many businesses across this part of Essex.

While it has been heartening to see many recover and adapt to these challenging circumstances, it has also been heart-breaking to see so many struggle.

I know how hard people work to build up businesses and this pandemic has caused disruption on a scale not seen before.

Significant and unprecedented levels of support have been provided by the Government to help businesses and to keep people in employment.

This has included cash grants, help with staffing costs and furlough, additional business rates relief, deferring payment of tax bills and loans.

Further funding has also been given to local authorities to use to support businesses and make discretionary grant payments.

I hope eligible businesses in need are able to apply and access this funding.

This support from the Government has been a lifeline to many businesses.

However, I know that getting back to trading as normal as soon as possible is what will make a real difference to them.

As our economy and society have reopened and we are protected more from Covid-19 from the successful roll-out of the vaccine, it is important we show our support for our local businesses by visiting and shopping in them.

This will help our local businesses, especially town centres and high streets, continue to contribute to our communities and support local jobs.

From retail to leisure and hospitality to manufacturing, this part of Essex is a dynamic engine of economic growth, supporting jobs and opportunities.

Our county is one of entrepreneurs and people with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

We have seen this in abundance during the pandemic as we came together and I know we will see this spirit continue as we now recover from the pain and suffering caused by Covid-19.