Retail businesses in Telford have been hit hard by closures due to the coronavirus outbreak. In addition to loss of income, they have had to work hard to become Covid secure and to reopen. Some have also faced difficulties accessing Government financial support via the local Council.

On Friday, Lucy Allan MP visited Blists Hill Victorian Town, which is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust. She met with the CEO Nick Ralls, and Visitor Engagement Director, Justin Tose, to discuss the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak and how the Trust is meeting these challenges.

The new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme launches today, aiming to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country. Those aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, will be eligible.

The River Severn Partnership aims to harness the river to transform the local economy by creating an environmentally resilient course for people to enjoy and live around without the threat of annual flooding.

Lucy Allan MP has welcomed the announcement that the UK Government-owned British Business Bank has issued its 75,000th loan through its Start Up Loans programme, marking more than £623 million invested in small businesses across the UK since its launch in 2012.

Millions of self-employed people whose livelihoods have been affected by coronavirus will be able to claim a second payment of up to £6,570 from today – as the government continues to help drive the UK’s recovery.

The harsh reality for all students due to sit exams this year is that there were no A-Levels and GCSEs in 2020. Let’s not pretend otherwise. Students did not have the chance to show what they could do. Some would have done better than expected and some worse.

Lucy has written to Telford & Wrekin Council to raise concerns about the consultation process relating to a proposed housing development for The Hem, Nedge Lane, Telford, which would see an additional 350 new homes built on existing green spaces.

Lucy has welcomed news that the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust is set to receive an additional £2 million in order to support A&E capacity ahead of the winter months.

Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from £20 million of new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government has announced today.