The Treasury have confirmed that councils will now be able to use excess grant funding to support additional local businesses. Over the past month I have been contacted by constituents with businesses in a whole range of industries who have not thus far been covered by many of the government’s extensive financial support packages.
I developed a way in which local authorities could meet this gap, to help out local businesses who are falling between the cracks of the government’s schemes of support. I’ve worked very hard with Government ministers and the Chancellor’s team to make this a reality. This new measure will allow councils to provide grants of up to £10,000 or £25,000 to support additional local businesses and I look forward to working with our local councils to ensure that Hitchin & Harpenden’s businesses can get the help they need. Many of them need it desperately, and the money can start to be given to businesses from next week.