WHEN Barrow moved into Tier 2 restrictions, I talked in person and online to a number of local businesses to learn about the impact on them.

I'd especially like to thank those businesses who answered my call to supply case studies, which could be passed through to the Chancellor's team.

This was vital to making the case for more help compelling.

I was therefore very pleased on Thursday to see the Chancellor’s announcement for the further package of support for those Tier 2 areas.

These include: increasing the generosity of, and eligibility for, the Job Support Scheme for a minimum of six months from November 1; additional cash grants of £2,100 a month for hospitality and leisure businesses where restrictions are applied; and more help for the self-employed.

Retail is another sector that is seeing the damaging effects of lower spend and drastically lower footfall on revenues.

Even before the onset of the pandemic, retailers on streets like Dalton Road were struggling to cope with the ever-increasing rise in business rates.

In an article I wrote this week for ConservativeHome, I have called on the Government to introduce a permanent cut to business rates for retail.

Of all the measures available to Government, reducing business rates would be an easy win with an immediate positive impact and I will continue to fight for it.

I'm also hopeful for more news very soon on two projects that have been on my to-do list since my election: the bypass at Grizebeck and Barrow's Town Deal.

Getting these bids won will be a vote of faith in Furness from the Government, and an important step to getting big changes done that will benefit our communities and economy.

My fingers are firmly crossed.