The Liberal Democrats have called for the government to suspend business rates through next year, extend furlough, and support the self-employed as the UK enters its third lockdown.

Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, urged the Chancellor to take real action to save people’s jobs as businesses face months of hardship. 

Ed Davey said:

“This lockdown should have come sooner, Boris Johnson has once again ducked making a difficult decision and as a result we are now in a critical situation.

“But we must all support it now and do all we can to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. 

“We also need real action now to save people’s jobs, their businesses and their livelihoods. 

“Small businesses have shown incredible resilience but now they worry whether they can survive another lockdown. We are calling on the Chancellor to publish an emergency Budget that will include a business rates holiday next year, an extension to furlough at least until the summer, and support for every self-employed person in the UK, including those who have so far been unfairly excluded.”