More than 76,000 businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber benefited from over £2.8 billion of support to bounce back from Covid through government-supported loan schemes.
Figures published today reveal that 102,000 businesses have also benefitted from £1.1 billion in grants.
In addition, almost three in every 10 employees in Yorkshire and the Humber (29 per cent) benefitted from the furlough scheme, as the government moved to support businesses across the whole country and protect jobs.
Loan schemes have supported businesses across all sectors. But the retail, construction and hospitality sectors, including hotels and restaurants, have benefitted the most.
Similarly, the furlough and self-employed income support scheme has benefited firms across all sectors, with 183,000 people in Yorkshire benefitting from the latter.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, said: “We said we would do whatever it takes to protect jobs and businesses from the economic emergency brought on by Coronavirus – and that is exactly what we did.
“Today’s figures show how our unprecedented support has benefitted the whole of the UK, and we will build on this as we move to the next stage of our recovery through our Plan for Jobs which will protect, support and create jobs for all regions across the country.”
The Chancellor set out his Plan for Jobs last month, which will support jobs with the Job Retention Bonus to help businesses keep furloughed workers, and expand Worksearch Support including a Flexible Support Fund and a £2 billion Kickstart scheme to subsidise jobs for young people
The government is also creating jobs in the construction and housing sectors through funding to decarbonise public sector buildings, and protecting jobs with VAT cuts for hospitality and tourism, as well as the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “We were clear from the start of this crisis that no region would be left behind, and it is heartening to see the difference our support has made for businesses of all sizes in Yorkshire and the Humber.
“As we rebuild from the pandemic, we will continue to prioritise jobs and skills, while placing the environment at the heart of our recovery.”
