Menu
23/11/2020
New £300m Support Package Approved By Executive
A new £300 million support package has been announced by Finance Minister, Conor Murphy.
The Executive approved package includes over £200 million for businesses and £98 million of COVID-19 funding to support the most vulnerable.
Making the announcement, Conor Murphy said: "Our businesses are facing huge challenges and are under immense pressure.
"Today we've agreed a significant business support package worth £213 million.
"This includes £95 million for a High Street Voucher Scheme for a pre-paid card for use on the high street.
"£55 million to extend the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme to include non-essential retail, leisure, and entertainment businesses now forced to close.
"£20 million to support company directors who have been without support up until now.
"£20 million to extend the 12 month rate holiday to the manufacturing sector.
"£10.6 million to support 1,000 wet pubs which are experiencing additional financial hardship, £5 million to top-up the Tourism and Hospitality Scheme, £4.1 million for Bed and Breakfast which previously missed out on business support because they pay domestic rates and £3 million to help local businesses grow their online sales."
The Minister continued: "In addition to this £213 million for business and recognising COVID will continue to be with us for the months to come, the Executive has also agreed to hold £150 million centrally for longer-term support on business rates. I hope to be able to provide an update on this in the very near future."
The Executive today also agreed to provide £98 million to support education, councils, sport and protect the vulnerable. Outlining these allocations, Conor Murphy said: "£44.3 million is being provided to fund a one-off £200 heating payment for those with disabilities who are on higher disability benefits and older people in receipt of pension credit.
"£26.4 million is being allocated to support schools. This includes vital funding to ensure families of young people who are entitled to Free School Meals will receive food grants during school holidays.
"I am allocating a further £5 million to support charities through the rest of the financial year.
"As the Social Enterprise Support Fund was oversubscribed, a further £2.25m is now being provided to ensure grants can be paid to all eligible applicants."
The Minister continued: "I am also making a further £10 million available to support sporting organisations, given the impact the restrictions are having on the sector, as well as an additional £10 million to local councils to ensure they can continue to deliver vital services."
The Minister concluded: "The Executive does not underestimate the extreme pressures that our businesses and people are facing and this package signals our continued determination to support them."
£27.5 million is also being allocated to the Department for Infrastructure to address the significant impact and loss of income COVID is having on the Department and its arm's length bodies to ensure service delivery can be maintained.
The Executive approved package includes over £200 million for businesses and £98 million of COVID-19 funding to support the most vulnerable.
Making the announcement, Conor Murphy said: "Our businesses are facing huge challenges and are under immense pressure.
"Today we've agreed a significant business support package worth £213 million.
"This includes £95 million for a High Street Voucher Scheme for a pre-paid card for use on the high street.
"£55 million to extend the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme to include non-essential retail, leisure, and entertainment businesses now forced to close.
"£20 million to support company directors who have been without support up until now.
"£20 million to extend the 12 month rate holiday to the manufacturing sector.
"£10.6 million to support 1,000 wet pubs which are experiencing additional financial hardship, £5 million to top-up the Tourism and Hospitality Scheme, £4.1 million for Bed and Breakfast which previously missed out on business support because they pay domestic rates and £3 million to help local businesses grow their online sales."
The Minister continued: "In addition to this £213 million for business and recognising COVID will continue to be with us for the months to come, the Executive has also agreed to hold £150 million centrally for longer-term support on business rates. I hope to be able to provide an update on this in the very near future."
The Executive today also agreed to provide £98 million to support education, councils, sport and protect the vulnerable. Outlining these allocations, Conor Murphy said: "£44.3 million is being provided to fund a one-off £200 heating payment for those with disabilities who are on higher disability benefits and older people in receipt of pension credit.
"£26.4 million is being allocated to support schools. This includes vital funding to ensure families of young people who are entitled to Free School Meals will receive food grants during school holidays.
"I am allocating a further £5 million to support charities through the rest of the financial year.
"As the Social Enterprise Support Fund was oversubscribed, a further £2.25m is now being provided to ensure grants can be paid to all eligible applicants."
The Minister continued: "I am also making a further £10 million available to support sporting organisations, given the impact the restrictions are having on the sector, as well as an additional £10 million to local councils to ensure they can continue to deliver vital services."
The Minister concluded: "The Executive does not underestimate the extreme pressures that our businesses and people are facing and this package signals our continued determination to support them."
£27.5 million is also being allocated to the Department for Infrastructure to address the significant impact and loss of income COVID is having on the Department and its arm's length bodies to ensure service delivery can be maintained.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Police Recover Suspected Firearm In Strabane Police recovered a suspected firearm yesterday during a search outside Strabane town in County Tyrone. Detectives from the Police Service's Terrorism Investigation Unit, who are investigating the activities of the New IRA, made the discovery.
Other News In Brief
Police Recover Suspected Firearm In Strabane Police recovered a suspected firearm yesterday during a search outside Strabane town in County Tyrone. Detectives from the Police Service's Terrorism Investigation Unit, who are investigating the activities of the New IRA, made the discovery.
27 May 2022
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
02 July 2024
Executive Approves Resource And Capital Funding Worth £300m
The Executive has agreed allocations of over £250 million Resource and £50 million Capital as part of the June 2024/25 monitoring round including funding for education, health and new build social housing. This includes allocations of: £122 million for the Department of Health to provide additional funding for vital services. £43.
Executive Approves Resource And Capital Funding Worth £300m
The Executive has agreed allocations of over £250 million Resource and £50 million Capital as part of the June 2024/25 monitoring round including funding for education, health and new build social housing. This includes allocations of: £122 million for the Department of Health to provide additional funding for vital services. £43.
24 September 2021
Businesses Urged To Support High Street Support Scheme
Retailers, hospitality and services sectors across Northern Ireland are being urged to show their support for the High Street Support Scheme, which opens for applications between 27th September and October 25th.
Businesses Urged To Support High Street Support Scheme
Retailers, hospitality and services sectors across Northern Ireland are being urged to show their support for the High Street Support Scheme, which opens for applications between 27th September and October 25th.
15 March 2004
Minister opens £18 million Toome Bypass
NIO Minister, John Spellar today opened the eagerly awaited £18 million Toome bypass. It is hoped that the new 'Toome Bridge' will cut motorists travelling times between Belfast and Londonderry via Toome by up to 20 minutes during rush hour traffic. The 3.
Minister opens £18 million Toome Bypass
NIO Minister, John Spellar today opened the eagerly awaited £18 million Toome bypass. It is hoped that the new 'Toome Bridge' will cut motorists travelling times between Belfast and Londonderry via Toome by up to 20 minutes during rush hour traffic. The 3.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
