£1 billion support for businesses

The Chancellor has announced £1 billion in additional support for businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant.

Hospitality and leisure sector businesses in England will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises. 

Around 200,000 businesses are eligible for the grants, which are administered by councils. 

More than £100 million in discretionary funding has also been made available for councils to support other businesses as part of the Additional Restrictions Grant. 

In addition, the Government has said it will cover the cost of statutory sick pay for covid-related absences for small and medium-sized employers.

A further £30 million will be made available through the Culture Recovery Fund, to allow more cultural organisations in England, such as theatres, orchestras and museums, to apply for support over the winter until March 2022.

Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the LGA’s Resources Board, said: “Councils continue to lead local efforts to support communities and businesses through the pandemic. This includes already distributing billions in emergency grant payments to businesses. 

“We know these grants have been a vital lifeline to businesses, and councils will work hard to get this new government funding out to businesses.

“We are pleased that a further £102 million has been announced for the Additional Restrictions Grant. Councils will look forward to accessing this as soon as possible to ensure as many businesses in their area can benefit as possible.”

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