Businesses in England that are required to shut because of local lockdowns will be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks, the Government has announced.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay MP made the announcement in the Commons yesterday (September 9). He said it was to provide a further safety net to protect jobs where a business is required to close due to covid-19 restrictions.
To be eligible for the grant, a business must have been required to close due to local covid-19 restrictions. The largest businesses will receive £1,500 every three weeks they are required to close. Smaller businesses will receive £1,000.
Payments are triggered by a national decision to close businesses in a high incidence area. Each payment will be made for a three-week lockdown period.
Each new three-week lockdown period triggers an additional payment.
Steve Barclay said: “These grants provide businesses with a safety net as they temporarily close their doors to help save lives in their local areas.
“As local economies eventually and carefully re-open after local interventions, our Plan for Jobs is there waiting to help businesses get back on their feet, protect jobs and thrive in the future.”
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “No business should be punished for doing the right thing, which is why today’s package will offer additional breathing space for businesses that have had to temporarily close to control the virus.”
