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9th July 2020
Posted by Johnny Jenkins
Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, has welcomed the Chancellor’s Summer Economic Update in Parliament. The Chancellor announced his ‘Plan for Jobs’ and new multi-billion-pound package of measures with the aim of giving businesses confidence to retain and hire as they recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This is in addition to the £160 billion existing support package, which included £49 billion of extra funding for public services such as the NHS and paying the wages of nearly 12 million people.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
“Throughout this crisis I have never been the prisoner of ideology. For me, this has never just been a question of economics, but of values.
“We believe in the nobility of work. We believe in the inspiring power of opportunity. We believe in the British people’s fortitude and endurance.
“Our plan has a clear goal: to protect, support and create jobs. It will give businesses the confidence to retain and hire. To create jobs in every part of our country. To give young people a better start. To give people everywhere the opportunity of a fresh start.”
Stephen Metcalfe MP reacted:
“Our national response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) has saved lives. But we must not allow the greatest public health crisis for a generation to become the worse economic crisis in history.
“I welcome this new generous package of measures from the Chancellor today as I know it will have a significant impact on protecting jobs as the Job Retention Scheme winds down this Autumn.
“This is especially true for our young people. Whilst least medically vulnerable to this virus, they potentially stand to lose the most in lost economic opportunity. As a champion of apprenticeships and training, I am delighted at the £3.6 billion package of measures aimed at boosting the job prospects of young people.
“The Prime Minister has proven he is committed to using the full power of the state to overcome this challenge and with debt interest costs at a 320-year low this is the correct approach in these unprecedented times”.
Image: Stephen Metcalfe MP with Boris Johnson