Boroughs "working incredibly hard" to distribute business grants

  • By Gemma Kappala-R...

Government has published details of councils' distribution of grants and reliefs to businesses.

Cllr Clare Coghill, London Councils’ Executive member for Business, Europe and Good Growth, said:

“London boroughs are determined to do all we can to help the capital’s business community during the coronavirus pandemic and we strongly welcomed the series of business rates reliefs and grants for businesses announced by government. 

“Boroughs have been working incredibly hard to distribute the grants announced which will be distributed via the business rates system. In total London boroughs are administrating £1.66 billion of grant to over 116,000 business across the city, representing 13.5 per cent of England’s grant. 

“However gaps in the data from businesses has been a significant problem. Boroughs need businesses’ bank details to ensure rapid payments can be made while carrying out the appropriate checks to minimise the potential for fraud. 

“In a matter of a couple of weeks we estimate London boroughs have distributed 52 percent of the funding, representing about 54,990 individual grants.

“Boroughs will continue to work hard to distribute these grants and we urge businesses that have not done so to provide the details boroughs require to get the money to them as quickly and easily as possible.” 

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

We understand there may be discrepancies between central government’s figures and data held by local authorities. London boroughs will be collectively reviewing the figures and working collaboratively to see how over the coming week they can ensure speedy and effective delivery of grants.