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We welcome today's announcements and have lobbied for additional support for businesses, so we are pleased the Chancellor has listened. 

While we await full details, this package recognises the ongoing difficulties businesses are facing and extra financial support was needed regardless of the level of restrictions in place.  

We now need to be given the resources to process cash grants in a timely manner for businesses in High Alert Level (Tier 2) regions that, despite being able to remain open, are under huge financial constraints as the Chancellor himself recognised.  

It remains to be seen what impact the grants, as well as the revised jobs support scheme and contributions to the self-employed, will have and we will continue to do our utmost to make sure residents and businesses in all sectors get the support they need. 

It is our hope that today's announcement offers some comfort to businesses and workers who have persevered remarkably during the pandemic, and we once again thank everyone for continuing to comply with the regulations and guidance.

Cllr Nick Forbes, CBE, Leader of Newcastle City Council 

Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council 

Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council 

Norma Redfearn CBE, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Council 

Cllr Iain Malcolm, Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ 

Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council 

Cllr Simon Henig, CBE, Leader of Durham County Council 

Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor 

Kim McGuinness, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner