To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the High Street Stimulus Scheme, including where vouchers may be spent and the expected roll-out date.

The High Street Scheme is a cornerstone of this Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan and one of the largest and most innovative responses to tackling the consequences of the pandemic for local businesses.

The Scheme will provide practical support in helping businesses recover from the pandemic. It is a £140 million financial injection to support our town and city centres and will help safeguard local jobs and businesses.

The scheme will provide every person resident in Northern Ireland, aged 18 and over, with a pre-paid card worth £100. The scheme should be launched towards the end of the summer and the card can be used in any local business that has the facility to accept card payments. The only exceptions are for online purchases, gambling or to pay for financial or legal services.

The finer detail of the scheme continues to be worked though by officials and further information will be made available through a multi-media advertising campaign to reach all audiences, prior to its implementation.