CUMBRIA Tourism has 'cautiously welcomed' an extension of the furlough scheme but will 'monitor the situation carefully' to ensure all businesses receive support.

Cumbria Tourism has cautiously welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement committing to financial assistance to businesses over the winter period.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons this week that the jobs furlough scheme set up in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak will be extended until the end of March 2021.

Rishi Sunak also outlined support for those who are self-employed, with support now increasing to 80 per cent of average profits up to £7,500.

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, welcomed the announcement.

She said: “We welcome Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of the extension of both the furlough and self-employment income support schemes until the end of March 2021.

“Only this week, we joined South Lakes MP Tim Farron to meet once again with the Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston MP to update him on the challenges facing businesses, and to press for a winter package of support to give the sector breathing space to consider the best way of moving forward to aid their survival into the Spring of next year and beyond."

However, she added that Cumbria Tourism will 'monitor the situation' to ensure businesses receive support.

She said: “With many jobs and more than half the of value of the visitor economy already lost this year, we will need to continue to monitor the situation very closely to ensure all businesses have access to the support."