On Tuesday 17 March UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a statement that revealed an unprecedented financial package to assist businesses facing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 response.
Sunak’s delivery was confident and reassuring. He offered a rates relief, grants and loans package worth £330Bn. While there are still many questions to be answered about employment, rent and benefits, he repeated a phrase four times that would have been unheard of from a top politician until this world-changing period.
We will do whatever it takes.
Read the statement in full on the UK Government website. It is absolutely right to ask questions, interrogate the offer and asses how the measures can help your business, but it is also important to appreciate that things are moving very quickly as the infection spreads.
Expect more major announcements in coming days and weeks.
Dougal Perman, Executive Chair, Scottish Music Industry Association