BCC responds to new grants for firms forced to close due to local Coronavirus restrictions

THE Government has announced that firms in England forced to close due to local Coronavirus restrictions will be able to claim grants of up to £1,500 every three weeks.

Responding to the announcement, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “Businesses forced to close through no fault of their own will welcome any new grant support, but for most this will not be enough to offset the resulting cash crunch.

 “With new local restrictions becoming more frequent, a comprehensive package of support will be needed for affected firms. More than half of Chamber members see local lockdowns as a major barrier to maintaining day-to-day operations and more than 1 in 3 have three months or less worth of cash in reserve.

“Ministers should increase the amount on offer to ensure businesses and jobs are protected, and extend coverage to more firms that are hard-hit but not forced to close.”