More than 13,000 Stourbridge jobs have been protected by the government’s furlough scheme since March, says local MP Suzanne Webb.

Self-employed people have also been supported with £9 million while more than £50 million had been handed out to businesses to help them through the Covid crisis, she said.

The MP revealed the figures as she welcomed the Chancellor’s extension of furlough and further support for the self-employed, saying it will help workers and local businesses get through this winter.

Rishi Sunak has announced that the furlough scheme will continue until March 2021 at 80% of wages up to a ceiling of £2500 a month. Employers will only pay national insurance and pension costs.

Grants for the self-employed will also be paid at 80% of average previous profits up to £7500 for November to January. Previously, it was going to be 40 per cent.

“This government has done a great deal to protect jobs and livelihoods through this pandemic both here in Stourbridge and across the UK and I very much welcome the extension of this much-needed support,” Suzanne said.

“It could well mean the difference between businesses folding or staying alive to bounce back again when these terrible times are over.

“It also gives families and businesses real security that they will be protected by the government until the spring.”

She said government support for Stourbridge included more than 1,000 bounce back loans, worth more than £30 million, granted to small companies; 64 loans worth over £11 million through the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme, and more than £15 million of business grants.