Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, and Perth and North Perthshire MP, Mr Pete Wishart, have today welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s Business Support Fund.
The fund, which has a total value of £1bn and is to be administered by local authorities, aims to provide certainty to businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. It forms part of a package of measures worth £2.2bn
Two types of grant are now available to ratepayers - a one-off £10,000 grant to ratepayers of small businesses or a one-off grant of £25,000 available to retail, hospitality and leisure business ratepayers with a rateable value between £18,001 and £50,999
The list is not exhaustive and if businesses think they may be eligible for one of these grants, they should contact their local authority.
Commenting, Mr Swinney said:
“It is important that businesses are fully supported during this period of uncertainty, and that they have confidence that their Government is fully behind them.
“Accordingly, I am pleased that the Scottish Government’s Business Support Fund is now live for businesses across Perth and Kinross.
“I would urge all businesses within my constituency to consider applying for this fund, and I am hopeful that this will provide certainty during these unprecedented and difficult times.”
Mr Wishart added:
“These are deeply troubling times for businesses, many of whom we rely on for providing essential services and important employment opportunities.
“The Scottish Government has provided businesses with access to a package of measures to help them cope with the impact of COVID-19 worth £2.2 billion. I would encourage business owners in Perth and Kinross to make contact with Perth and Kinross Council who are administering this on behalf of the Scottish Government and I understand that the aim is to make payments within 10 days.
“We are utterly determined to keep companies in business at this difficult time and support them and their staff. Alongside the 80% wage support promised by the UK Government, this package should go some way to ensuring that we mitigate some of the most serious economic impacts of the virus.”
