£47m in help for Fife businesses during lockdown

Almost 4500 applications from businesses for help have been dealt with Fife Council since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The huge number was revealed this week as the local authority came under fire from an MSP who said it had made “slow progress” in clearing the backlog.

The almost overnight lockdown had a devastating impact on businesses across the region - from the smallest shops to the largest companies.

With no, or very limited access to funding, many feared the worst, and a recent report from Steve Grimmond, chief executive, warned the impact could have “far reaching” impact on the Kingdom’s economy.

To date, the council has handled almost 4400 applications for emergency grants, and several hundred have yet to be actioned.

A total of 4157 have been awarded, paying out some £47m, with 233 rejected, and around 400 in the pending tray.

In a joint statement, co-leaders, Councillors David Ross and David Alexander, said the economic teams had worked relentlessly to provide support.

They added: ““We have around 400 applications where a decision has yet to be made. This is because the applicant hasn’t registered their business for rates. We are in touch with these businesses to get more information to see if they should be registered for rates and therefore, grants.”

The third phase of the Business Support Fund is set to be launched which, the leaders said, would offer additional support for some Fife businesses who have not been eligible to date.

But Fife’s response was criticised by Dean Lockhart MSP.

The Mid Fife and Scotland Tory member said progress on paying businesses “appeared to have stalled.”

He said over 800 were still waiting for support.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/business/fifers-urged-support-local-businesses-and-jobs-post-lockdown-2874594

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/business/currys-pc-world-re-opens-fife-store-2875567

In April, Mr Lockhart expressed his concern that only half of grants had been processed - he said that left over 2000 businesses at that point waiting for their application to be processed.

He said that, since then, Fife Council has still only processed less than half of outstanding applications, and added: “These figures really are staggering and clearly show that progress on getting emergency cash to Fife businesses has stalled.

‘’That has the potential to threaten jobs and livelihoods across Fife and ruin the local economy.

‘’The SNP and Labour run council appears to be processing all the simple applications, but then left hundreds in the lurch as the weeks have gone by.

‘’That’s an irresponsible and damaging way to run an administration and many small businesses simply won’t recover.

‘’The council need to stop the excuses and ensure all those businesses who need and deserve assistance receive it.’’

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