The Scottish Government has released figures showing that around 65,000 coronavirus grants, worth £741 million, have been distributed to Scottish businesses.
Around £63 million grants were paid in the last week, compared to £58 million in the week previous and £138 million in the week previous to that.
Official documents show the Scottish Government has earmarked £1.2 billion of budget for this grants schemes, which sees firms receive grants of £10,000 or £25,000 and additional grants for operators with multiple properties.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland spoke with Minister for Public Finance Ben Macpherson this week about extending the scheme for other businesses with property based overheads currently excluded from help. In addition, they underlined the need to improve the administration of the grant scheme.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “More money reached Scottish smaller firms this week than last. We’re grateful that this vital help is reaching local firms, though we’d highlight there’s still around 16,000 applications in the pipeline.
“FSB spoke with the Scottish Government this week about extending help to businesses facing property costs that are currently excluded from help, like firms that operate from co-working spaces, markets and shared offices. We’re confident that policymakers can find a way to help these sorts of smaller firms.
“We also pressed home to the Minister the need to ensure businesses applying for help are treated consistently across the country. A business in Glasgow should be getting help if a similar operator in Glenrothes has been offered a grant.”
ENDS
- Official statistics about the grant figures, including grants distributed by each local authority, can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-fund-grant-statistics/
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