LGA statement on COVID-19 business grant scheme

Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement of a new business grant scheme to be distributed by councils, Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said:

“It is councils who are leading local efforts to support communities and businesses through this crisis.

“This includes distributing more than £11 billion to 880,000 small businesses through the previous grant scheme earlier this year. This has been a vital lifeline to businesses struggling and worried about the future, so it is good that government has announced this new scheme.

“Councils stand ready to work again to distribute this new funding. It is good that they will have flexibility to ensure as many businesses can benefit as possible.”