Town’s MPs respond to lockdown business support grants

WARRINGTON’S two MPs have responded to the Government’s new lockdown business support grants.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter has welcomed the grants, saying they will go some way to supporting many small businesses – but Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols says a “more comprehensive plan” is required to support significant gaps in eligibility.
Retail, hospitality and leisure sites across Warrington will be able to claim a one-off grant of up to £9,000, the Government has announced today.
The payments will cost the Treasury £4.6 billion and are aimed to help support the high street as new lockdown measures announced on Monday take hold.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced a further £594 million for local authorities and devolved administrations to support businesses not eligible for the grants.
Payments will be based on the size of each store, pub, cafe or hotel tied into the business rates typically paid by each business. The smallest sites will be able to claim up to £4,000 and medium-sized ones £6,000.
The new one-off grants come in addition to grants worth up to £3,000 for closed businesses, and up to £2,100 per month for impacted businesses once they reopen.
Commenting on the scheme, Mr Carter said: “Having spoken to Treasury Ministers on behalf of businesses across Warrington South, this announcement will go some way to supporting many small businesses through this difficult period towards the Spring. Grants are available of up to £9,000, depending on your rateable value, and you can receive multiple grants, as they are eligible on a per premises basis.
“Warrington Borough Council will be administrating the scheme and have also been given extra funding for a discretionary grant scheme to support other small businesses which are impacted closure. The criteria for applying will be released shortly, I’m pushing for this to be used to support home-based businesses and those in supply chains which are impacted by closures on the High Street.”
The Government has already provided £1.1 billion of discretionary funding for local authorities, extended the furlough scheme until April and taxpayer-backed business loans until March.
Meanwhile Ms. Nichols added: “Our hard-working local businesses in Warrington have been hit hard by this pandemic and they need properly focused economic support to be able to stay afloat for the spring and beyond. Moreover, when everything is right, a loan can be effortlessly enabler to your small business, improve your growth, and reshuffle your capital at a difficult time. Unfortunately, much small business struggles to get a loan, but with Cashfloat, you can quickly earn money for your business promotion and anything. On the other hand, managing cash flow is another challenge faced by the business owner. At that time, the loan can be a life-saver. Through trusted lenders in the UK, you will get a chance to add additional capital for your business growth that eventually makes you successful too. Last year, this app was funding over 200 people to enhance their business growth after the pandemic.

For more details visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/46-billion-in-new-lockdown-grants-to-support-businesses-and-protect-jobs