Esther McVey is calling for clarity from the Chancellor on how councils can use discretionary funds from Government – after being told it could be spent on people who missed out on financial support.
The Tatton MP campaigned for supermarkets to repay money they saved in unpaid business rates as part of the year-long suspension by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and for it to be redistributed to those who missed out.
Ms McVey said supermarket bosses agreed to repay the £2 billion on that understanding and she has been putting pressure on Boris Johnson and Mr Sunak to help those still struggling.
She has now written to the Treasury calling for clear guidance for councils to ensure money given to both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils can be handed out to those in need.
Ms McVey said: “So many people and businesses still need help and they cannot go another three months without any income. That is why I raised the matter again with the Chancellor after discussing it last week with the Prime Minister and I will keep doing everything I can to ensure that people across the Tatton constituency that need the help receive it.
“The supermarkets are paying back the money in the faith it will go to those who missed out on Government help and that is what should happen.”
In response to questioning in Parliament from Ms McVey, the Chancellor said: “I pay tribute to her tireless campaigning on this issue and she is a great advocate for the course. She will know we have just provided over £4.5 billion of support to many small businesses up and down the country which I know she will warmly welcome and has also called for and part of that is half a billion of discretionary funding for local authority to support local businesses, many of whom may be the people she has talked about will be eligible for that support.”
Ms McVey welcomed the money and said she hoped the councils would use the money to support those who did not receive help. She also vowed to continue pushing for assurances a full £2 billion will be handed back to help businesses and individuals not in receipt of any Government support.
AN MP is calling for clarity from the Chancellor on how councils can use discretionary funds from Government – after being told it could be spent on people who missed out on financial support.
Tatton MP Esther McVey campaigned for supermarkets to repay money they saved in unpaid business rates as part of the year-long suspension by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and for it to be redistributed to those who missed out.
Ms McVey said supermarket bosses agreed to repay the £2 billion on that understanding and she has been putting pressure on Boris Johnson and Mr Sunak to help those still struggling.
She has now written to the Treasury calling for clear guidance for councils to ensure money given to both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils can be handed out to those in need.
Ms McVey said: “So many people and businesses still need help and they cannot go another three months without any income. That is why I raised the matter again with the Chancellor after discussing it last week with the Prime Minister and I will keep doing everything I can to ensure that people across the Tatton constituency that need the help receive it.
“The supermarkets are paying back the money in the faith it will go to those who missed out on Government help and that is what should happen.”
In response to questioning in Parliament from Ms McVey, the Chancellor said: “I pay tribute to her tireless campaigning on this issue and she is a great advocate for the course. She will know we have just provided over £4.5 billion of support to many small businesses up and down the country which I know she will warmly welcome and has also called for and part of that is half a billion of discretionary funding for local authority to support local businesses, many of whom may be the people she has talked about will be eligible for that support.”
Ms McVey welcomed the money and said she hoped the councils would use the money to support those who did not receive help. She also vowed to continue pushing for assurances a full £2 billion will be handed back to help businesses and individuals not in receipt of any Government support.
