LATEST figures have shown the vast scale of financial and job support given to people in the Maldon district to help cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than £19.9million worth of grants have been handed out to businesses in the area – which do not need to be paid back.

Self-employed people and small business owners in Maldon have received around £14.5million. Again, this money does not need to be returned and has been provided to cover lost earnings for 4,300 people.

In excess of £50.8million has been paid out to 1,276 local businesses in Bounce Back loans, which offer loans of up to £50,000 within days of application to help firms get back on their feet.

And under the Coronovirus Job Retention Scheme 13, 100 people in the Maldon district have been furloughed in the health crisis, receiving 80 per cent of their wages until their employers are in a position to get them back at work.

Maldon MP John Whittingdale welcomed the news.

Mr Whittingdale said: "This year has been hugely challenging for people and businesses in Maldon and these latest figures demonstrate the scale of support that the Conservative Government has put in place to support lives and local livelihoods.

"As we now work to restart our economy, I am confident that the Government will continue to support people in our local community.

"Schemes such as the hugely popular Eat Out to Help Out are already proving a huge success at getting customers back into local businesses."

Now the Government is looking at next steps – Chancellor Rishi Sunak's 'Plans for Jobs in July' sets out how the Government intends to create, protect and support jobs nationally with up to £30billion funding.

And in June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his New deal for Britain, promising billions of pounds worth of infrastructure projects to get the country building and kickstart the economy.