Businesses in England which have been forced to close due to local lockdowns are eligible for grants worth up to £1,500, the Treasury has confirmed.

To qualify for the grant, a business must have been required to close due to local COVID-19 restrictions.

 

The Treasury said larger businesses will be eligible for £1,500 every three weeks they are required to close, while smaller businesses can claim £1,000.

 

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

 

“No business should be punished for doing the right thing, which is why this package offers additional breathing space for businesses that have had to temporarily close to control the virus.

 

“We will continue to back our innovators and job creators across the country who are playing a critical role as we build back better from the pandemic.”

 

However, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said the grants “will not be enough to offset the resulting cash crunch”. 

 

Adam Marshall, director-general at the BCC, said:

 

“Local lockdowns are a major barrier to maintaining day-to-day operations and more than one in three firms 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.”

 

Speak to us if you have any questions about the scheme.