Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has spoken of the tragedy of businesses closing down because of the pandemic following his visit to Basildon.

Sir Keir spent yesterday morning touring the town centre and speaking to business owners alongside Labour council leader, Gavin Callaghan.

In a video posted after his visit, Sir Keir called for businesses to be given extra support during and after the latest national lockdown.

He said: “We’ve been in Basildon this morning in the town centre talking to some of the businesses and it’s understandable, but really tragic to see businesses closed down during this lockdown.

“Everybody is really anxious about the future, many families and family members have been on furlough for a very long time now, and they need to be bridged successfully out of what we hope will be the last lockdown and that means some vital measures to give them that extra support.

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“It requires the Government to extend the business rate cuts, to do some more work on VAT to make sure these businesses that have got this far can bridge out the other end.

“That’s how we’ll protect jobs, families and secure the economy.”