THE region has secured a support package from Government worth an overall £51m to help communities and businesses battling the tight coronavirus restrictions.

Leaders in the Liverpool City Region confirmed today an additional £30million in Covid-19 business support would be received.

Political leaders, including St Helens Borough Council’s David Baines, had been pressing the Government throughout the week for an adequate package of support after the Tier 3 very high’ Covid alert level restrictions were imposed.

The measures have led to temporary closures of hospitality and leisure business and impacted on many that have remained open.

The funding is in addition to the £14m already received to support the local Test, Trace and Isolate system and local enforcement efforts.

This means a total of £44m in additional funding has been secured in support of the Tier 3 restrictions.

The Liverpool City Region - made up of St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, Halton and Liverpool - also received £7m when it went in to Tier 2 status, meaning the total package is £51m so far.

Speaking on behalf of the city mayor and leaders of the six city region Local Authorities, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Once it became clear that Tier 3 restrictions were going to be imposed on our City Region, we held a series of meetings with the Government, throughout last weekend, with the aim of protecting our NHS and supporting local people and businesses.

“We have been absolutely clear since we were put in to Tier 3 that we would continue to press the Government and hold meaningful dialogue to secure vitally needed extra economic support.

“The result of this is that, today, we have obtained from the Government, an additional £30million in funding.

“This is welcome news for our economy and the thousands of people whose businesses and jobs will now be supported through this very difficult period.”

In a statement following the announcement, the leader of St Helens Borough Council David Baines, said: "We have been consistent and adamant in every meeting with government that if they introduce extra restrictions they must give our local economy the support it needs and deserves. 

"This new funding, confirmed today, is a big step in the right direction and I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure it.

"On top of the £40m we’re providing locally for businesses and workers it should help the majority of premises through a very difficult time."

"But let’s be clear - we won’t stop pushing for even more.

"For a decade our region has been underfunded by central government and we need and deserve the fullest possible support.”