2,066 Small Business in Swindon Receive Government Coronavirus Support

2,066 business properties within the Swindon Borough Council area have already received grants as part of the Government’s Small Business Grants Scheme. In total, more than £25,280,000 has made its way to small businesses in the local area.

• The Government has distributed more than £12 billion to local authorities for the small business grants scheme
• More than £6 billion has already been paid out to half a million business properties
• Swindon Borough Council has been allocated £31,116,000 to support up to 2,738 business properties

In recognition of the extraordinary pressures facing small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has launched the Small Business Grants Scheme, backed by £12.3 billion. The funding is provided to local authorities, who are then able to offer grants of up to £10,000 to small businesses, and up to £25,000 for eligible leisure, retail and hospitality businesses. Since the scheme’s launch in March, £6.1 billion has already been paid out to 491,725 business properties across England, including 2,066 in the Swindon Borough Council area.

In total, Swindon Borough Council has been provided with £31,116,000, which could help as many as 2,738 businesses in the local area.

The Government is providing a huge and unprecedented package of support to help small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, including:

• Helping to pay people’s wages, through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, including for more than a million people who are employed by the 140,000 businesses which applied for the scheme in the first day alone.
• Introducing the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to provide loans of up to £5 million, interest free for 12 months, to small businesses.
• Taking all retail, leisure and hospitality businesses out of business rates altogether for the next year.
• Helping small and medium-sized businesses with the cost of paying Statutory Sick Pay for employees off because of Covid-19

Commenting, local Members of Parliament Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson said:

“This is a hugely challenging time for businesses, especially for the smaller firms which are the lifeblood of our local economy here in Swindon.

It is reassuring to know that the support announced by the Government has already reached 2,066 of our local businesses and is helping to protect people’s livelihoods.

The Government is determined to ensure that people get the support they need to do the right thing – to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives – without having to worry about losing their jobs or not being able to pay their bills”.