The UK Treasury has this morning announced grants of up to £9,000 per property will be offered to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses amid the latest lockdown.
600,000 businesses are expected to be supported by the move at a total cost of £4billion, in a bid to help them survive the prospect of remaining closed over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, a further £594million will be made available to councils and devolved nations to help businesses not covered by these grants.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak commented: "The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge - and, whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.
"Throughout the pandemic we've taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we're announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the spring.
"This will help businesses to get through the months ahead - and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen."
