Murphy responds to Chancellor announcement

Date published: 9 October 2020

Conor Murphy said: “As the Executive considers how best to respond to the rising levels of COVID-19, the additional £200m for the Executive and the enhanced Job Support Scheme for businesses in areas under local restrictions are welcome.

“Earlier this week I announced a support scheme for businesses forced to limit their operations in the Derry & Strabane Council area. The payments under this scheme are higher than the equivalent scheme in England. This remains the case with the exception of the largest businesses and this additional funding gives the Executive the ability to consider further increasing its support.

“With the furlough scheme due to end at the end of October my main concern was continued support with wages. I am therefore pleased that the enhanced Job Support Scheme will remove a cliff edge for many businesses”.

Minister Murphy continued: “I am conscious that there will be many businesses and workers who will fall outside this scope of this scheme. I will be discussing with Executive colleagues how we can best use this additional funding to protect livelihoods.”