ANGLESEY Member of Parliament (MP) Virginia Crosbie has given her response to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's 'bail out' package for businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, Mr Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivered a coronavirus update to the UK and announced that £330bn of guaranteed loans would be made available for businesses, among a number of other loans for smaller businesses.

Responding to the news, Ynys Môn MP Mrs Crosbie said: "On behalf of my constituents of Ynys Mon, may I welcome the significant package of financial measures that the Government has made available today.

"Businesses like Seawake, Gwynedd Shipping and the restaurant Catch 22 have contacted me today desperate for the Government to take action. Will he join me in urging the Welsh Government to make this additional funding available as quickly as possible to small businesses across Wales in order that they can survive.

Responding to Ms Crosbie during the statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak commented: “She is right to highlight the point of speed across Wales and everywhere else, and that’s why we’ve taken steps to make the Barnett consequentials available in advance, as quickly as we can, so all devolved authorities can plan and execute their plans expeditiously.”

Mrs Crosbie has also released a further, longer statement regarding the current coronoavirus situation.

It read: "The Coronavirus pandemic spreading across the world is one of the biggest challenges we will have to face in our lifetimes. We must deal with not only the health impact on our communities in Ynys Môn, but also the economic impact.

"Chancellor Rishi Sunak has set out an unprecedented £330bn package of measures to support businesses and individuals get through the next few months as the Government works hard to surpress the pandemic.

"The measures that the Government has committed to today will result in a £1.6bn package available to the Welsh Government to provide further grants to businesses, in addition to the commitment already made to provide business rates relief to certain industries.

"Time to pay arrangements for tax liabilities are available to businesses by contacting HMRC on 0800 0159 559. We have worked with lenders and banks to ensure a three month mortgage payment holiday for those who may struggle to meet their commitments, and in the coming days the Housing Secretary will announce further measures to help those in rented accommodation. The Government has already committed to ensuring Statutory Sick Pay is also available from day 1 rather than day 8.

"This is an unprecedented sum of money for an unprecedented time - equivalent to 15% of our GDP - which will provide much-needed backing to my constituents in Ynys Môn. We must stand by our amazing local businesses who need our support.

"I will press the Welsh administration to make the Chancellor’s financial support package available to people in Wales as quickly as possible, and stand ready to work constructively with them to ensure we do all we can to support people through this difficult time.

"I have set up an information portal with up-to-date advice and links to where applications can be made for financial support. This can be found at www.virginiacrosbie.co.uk/coronavirus and will be updated as soon as further advice is available from a number of sources."