Chancellor Rishi Sunak's praise for Hartlepool as town's small businesses handed £12million lifeline from Government

Small firms in the town accessed the cash under a multi-million-pound Government package delivered to help small businesses in Hartlepool deal with the impact of Coronavirus

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for all small businesses in England, with further grants of up to £25,000 for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries.

Small businesses in Hartlepool have received £12.2million so far in grants from the government to help deal with the disruption caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.

The cash is part of a £20.9million sum given to Hartlepool Borough Council as part of a scheme designed to help small businesses across England.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “Our package of support for businesses and individuals is designed to ensure cash gets where it is needed fast, which is why we’ve been able to get these grants to firms in Hartlepool now.

“We promised to support the jobs and incomes of the British people, and we’re delivering on that promise.”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma added: “Small business owners up and down the country are facing challenges on a scale never seen before and the financial support package we have put in place reflects that.

“I am extremely pleased to see that Hartlepool businesses have already received grants totalling over £12million and my thanks to Hartlepool Borough Council for their hard work in continuing to get this vital support out to those who need it.”

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick went on: “I congratulate East Hartlepool Borough Council for their tireless work in distributing these grants and efforts by local authorities to ensure grants continue to be paid out as quickly as possible, and I will support them as they keep working to ensure that all eligible businesses in their area get the support that they need.

“I continue to urge councils who have been slower in making progress to accelerate efforts with immediate effect. Small businesses across the country are depending on these grants and they must prioritise making these payments and must now wait any longer.”

Every business with a rateable value below £15,000 will receive a grant of up to £10,000. Eligible larger businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries are eligible to receive to £25,000 if they have a rateable value above £15,000 but below £51,000.

In total, £12.3billion will be going to businesses in England, of which £3.7billion has already reached eligible businesses.

Cash grants come on top of wider government support, including a business rates holiday with all businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure paying no rates for one year.

The Government has also launched a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, under which employers can claim for 80% of furloughed employees’ (employees on a leave of absence) usual monthly wage costs.

VAT payments have also been deferred for three months. The government’s Business Support website helps people find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) on their business.

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