The Welsh Government will ensure full details of support for businesses is announced this week.

The Welsh Government have created an enhanced Economic Resilience Fund of almost £300m.

• • Putting an extra £150m into phase three of the ERF to support to businesses affected by the firebreak
  • Every business covered by the small business rates relief will get a £1,000 payment.
  • Small and medium-sized retail, leisure and hospitality businesses which have to close will receive a one-off payment of up to £5,000.
  • There will also be additional discretionary grants and support for smaller businesses, which are struggling.

Beyond that, the £80m fund announced last week to help businesses develop in the longer term, will be increased to £100m, which includes £20m ring-fenced for tourism and hospitality.

The funds will open in the first week of the fire-break and the Welsh Government will work to get the money allocated as quickly as possible.

All businesses required to close will also be able to access the support available from the UK Government – through the existing Job Retention Scheme or the new expanded Job Support Scheme.

The First Minister has also written to the Chancellor to ask him to give Welsh businesses early access to the new expanded Job Support Scheme from Friday.

This would remove the need for businesses to juggle the Job Retention Scheme and the Job Support Scheme during this fire-break period.

Given the urgency, the Welsh Government have offered to pay the extra costs to help businesses retain staff.