West businesses need urgent help
BUSINESSES in Devon and Plymouth need more help – otherwise many of them may not survive in the New Year, council leaders have warned.
A call for more support from the Government went out yesterday after the Government announced that Devon and Plymouth would remain in Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions – with Cornwall staying in Tier 1.
While cases in Devon had been falling during the second lockdown, numbers have begun to rise in recent days, with the infection rate for the county now back to 86.1 per 100,000.
Councillor John Hart, Devon County Council leader, who also chairs the county’s multi-agency Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said that remaining in Tier Two probably was the right decision at this time, but that more support for local businesses was urgently needed.
He said: “I’m afraid this is the right decision because of the number of positive cases in Devon right now – especially among our older residents – and the huge pressure on our NHS services.
“But, if we are to accept these restrictions continuing into the New Year, the Government must act swiftly with more support for local businesses.”
Mr Hart’s call was echoed by Plymouth City Council’s leader Tudor Evans, who said: “We are very aware that many businesses are fighting for survival due to the current restrictions.
“We are calling for the Government to ensure they receive the support they need to help them stay afloat.”
THE leader of Devon County Council has demanded more help for business to help them survive after Devon remained in Tier Two – saying otherwise many will not exist in the New Year.
Devon is remaining in Tier Two for the time being, the Government confirmed yesterday, deciding that because of circumstances – including case numbers, demographic make-up and pressure on NHS services – the county will stay in Tier Two until its next review at the end of the year. Cornwall will remain in Tier One.
While cases in the county had been falling during the second lockdown, numbers have begun to rise in recent days, with the infection rate for Devon now back to 86.1 per 100,000, although it varies significantly across the county, with East Devon, Exeter and North Devon over the 100 per 100,000 mark, while the South Hams is at 29.9.
Councillor John Hart, Devon County’s Council leader who also chairs the county’s multi-agency Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said that remaining in Tier Two probably was the right decision, but that more support for local businesses was urgently needed.
He said: “I’m afraid this is the right decision because of the number of positive cases in Devon right now – especially among our older residents – and the huge pressure on our NHS services. But, if we are to accept these restrictions continuing into the New Year, the Government must act swiftly with more support for local businesses.
“When we went into Tier Two, I called for action and I am renewing that call today. Every day, I am hearing from businesses which are being severely affected and many of our local hospitality companies are on their knees.
“The Government must do more to help them survive, otherwise many of these companies – which are the lifeblood of Devon’s economy – won’t be here in the New Year.”
Mr Hart’s call was echoed by Plymouth City Council’s leader. Councillor Tudor Evans, who also chairs Plymouth’s Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said: “This year has been an incredibly hard year for everyone and I know many people have been hoping to see a relaxation of the tier restrictions, not least those businesses that are hit hardest by them.
“We are very aware that many businesses are fighting for survival due to the current restrictions. They need help to keep going through what would usually be their busiest time. We are calling for the Government to ensure they receive the support they need to help them stay afloat.
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health (Designate), said: “We had been seeing our case numbers falling due to the recent national lockdown, but that fall has slowed and has now levelled off since we adopted Tier Two restrictions. I do not believe that we are ready yet to relax our restrictions to the lower tier.”