Midlands firms urged to claim millions in vital grants
Businesses have been urged to claim almost £100 million in grant payments which could help to prevent them from going under.
The Government launched two funds in March, enabling local authorities to award grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to help small businesses survive the coronavirus lockdown.
But across the Black Country and Staffordshire thousands of firms are yet to claim their cash, prompting MPs to raise concerns that they may go out of business.
The latest Government figures show Sandwell Council remains the worst performing local authority in the country. The council has paid out to 39 per cent of firms, leaving £46.5 million unclaimed.
Wolverhampton Council has paid nearly 60 per cent of businesses, while Dudley Council and Walsall Council have both paid out to 67 per cent of firms.
South Staffordshire District Council has paid out to three-quarters of eligible businesses and Lichfield District Council is on 82 per cent.
In the Black Country alone £96.9m remains unclaimed by 7,949 businesses.
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West Bromwich East MP Nicola Richards said it was crucial that firms qualifying for support came forward to claim their cash.
"The business community has collectively fallen on hard times during the current pandemic, however, the state isn’t going to abandon them to their fates," she said.
"I’m trying my best to ensure all small businesses in West Bromwich East get access to all the help they need at this difficult time, especially the Small Business Grant Fund.
"These grants are absolutely integral to the future survival of many of our small businesses – the Government, local authorities and the wider community need to be supporting them in whatever way we can.
"I’m calling on all businesses to come forward and claim their grant payments if they think they qualify by either getting in touch with Sandwell Council directly or by contacting me – I will then be able to pass your details on."
Ministers have also launched a fast-track finance scheme providing loans of up to £50,000, with a 100 per cent government-backed guarantee for lenders.
The move has been welcomed by Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris, who said: "Many business owners that I’ve spoken to have been very concerned over both their short-term and long-term futures, and this scheme can help to alleviate some of these issues.
"Small businesses are vital in ensuring our communities thrive and will be crucial in creating jobs and securing economic growth as we recover."
