As you are aware, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
You will also know that Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
The Government also announced a Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), the aim of which is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs.
The first phase of this scheme has now closed to applications, however, local authorities will be accepting applications for a second phase which will open in the coming weeks. The business you refer to may be eligible for this scheme if they meet the eligibility requirements which will be announced shortly.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports available. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.
It is important to note that I along with my Government colleagues are continuing to keep government business schemes under review.
