Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that Manchester Airport will receive a Government grant of up to £8 million, helping to protect jobs and the local economy.
The funding is designed to help with the cost of paying Business Rates, providing much-needed financial relief this year. The Government are to provide £100 million to support airports as they recover from coronavirus.
The funding, which will also be used to support ground handlers, comes as the Transport Secretary announced plans to reduce the time needed in self-isolation after travelling abroad. From 15 December, passengers returning from overseas will be given the option of having a coronavirus test after five days in isolation, with a negative test releasing them from the need to isolate for any longer.
Combined, the new funding and quarantine measures will give a much-needed boost to the aviation sector, which has faced a challenging year after passenger numbers severely declined during the coronavirus pandemic.
Airports, airlines and other aviation businesses have also been able to draw on the Government’s unprecedented support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Business Interruption Loans. In total, the aviation and aerospace sectors have received over £9 billion in support.
The pandemic has been so difficult for the travel and tourism industry and our community have felt this keenly. Manchester Airport supports many jobs in our local economy. I have been working closely with Manchester Airport this year and supporting their call with Ministers for rapid testing and the easing of air passenger duty. It is welcome news therefore that our airport will receive up to £8 million to help it during these challenging times. Along with the Government’s new testing strategy, this funding marks an important stage in the recovery for Manchester airport.
This Conservative Government has provided unprecedented levels of support to protect jobs and businesses through the pandemic, and this latest support will be hugely important for helping Cheadle to build back better after coronavirus.
