Today is one of the most important days in the political calendar. It’s Budget Day when the Chancellor will set out the next phase of our plan for suppressing the virus and putting our country on the road to recovery, building back better and greener from this pandemic.

At the start of this pandemic, I said that this government would do whatever it takes to protect jobs and livelihoods in Great Yarmouth – and I remain committed to that promise. Over the last year, we have seen millions pumped into a comprehensive package to protect Great Yarmouth jobs, businesses, and public services. And today’s Budget will build on these measures, with a three-part plan to support people and businesses through the coming months, begin to fix our public finances with a fair and honest plan, and build our future economy.

These are just a few of the way people in Great Yarmouth will benefit from the Budget:

• • Extending furlough until September, helping workers through the challenging months ahead.
  • Expanding and extending our self-employment support schemes with two further grants, so that more people can get the support they need.
  • A share of £5 billion to help the high street recover, ensuring the hardest-hit businesses have the support they need through the next stage of recovery.
  • More funding for traineeships and ‘flexi-job’ apprenticeships, helping people back into work and harnessing their talents for the future.
  • Extra money for the vaccine rollout, helping to maintain the momentum as we work towards offering a vaccine to every adult by the end of July.
     

There is now light at the end of the tunnel with a roadmap for reopening the country, and today’s Budget will continue to deliver all the support business and individuals need through the challenging months ahead – so that we are ready to level up the whole country as we build back better and greener after coronavirus.