Burnley Council and MP seeking more government cash after coronavirus hits jobs in the borough

Burnley Council has already processed and distributed 1,800 business support grants totalling £20m. of government cash. It has also established the Burnley Together community hub which has handled almost 7,000 contacts from people and distributed almost 3,500 food parcels.

However, the council is planning for the post-virus future, especially in light of the massive job losses announced at one of Burnley's biggest private sector employers, aerospace provider Safran Nacelles.

Council officials are consulting with businesses to understand the impact of the pandemic and the support they need; advising business on making their work environments Covid safe and working with town centre businesses to enable them to reopen Monday.

Burnley Council leader Coun. Charlie Briggs said: “We need to work with businesses, partners and the voluntary sector to support the transition from the immediate crisis through to full recovery.

“Looking beyond that to future recovery, the council is working with the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and the East Lancashire Chamber of Trade to develop and lobby for support for major employment sectors in the town.

“I have met with our MP Antony Higginbotham to start the process of lobbying for Government support for Burnley and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months.

“The council will be working with businesses, partners and the voluntary sector that will build on the work undertaken so far and incorporate it into a wider recovery plan for Burnley.”