MSP hails crisis cash

Paisley MSP George Adam has welcomed new figures showing that 1,498 businesses in Renfrewshire have received Scottish Government grants to support firms through the coronavirus crisis.

A total of £17.23m has been awarded throughout the region by a Scottish Government scheme to support small businesses and the retail, hospitality and leisure sector.

This grant support is worth more than £1 billion to business, and is part of the wider business support package worth £ 2.3 billion.

To date, more than 45,000 awards have been made, providing over £ 526 million to eligible businesses across Scotland.

So that funding can be distributed as quickly as possible, eligibility for the grant scheme is linked to the non- domestic rates system.

MSP George Adam said: “This is undeniably a very difficult time for businesses so I am very pleased to see such extensive support already distributed throughout Renfrewshire.

“This Scottish Government funding is designed to support firms and ensure that our economy is on the best possible footing when we get through this health crisis.

“Our support for business is now worth £2.3 billion, which is more than we have received from the UK Government and actively works to fill the gaps in the UK schemes with tailored support for the Scottish economy.

“I encourage all businesses in Paisley to ensure they are receiving the support they’re entitled to.”

A £ 10,000 grant is available to non-domestic ratepayers with properties in receipt of:

 Small Business Bonus Scheme relief ( SBSS) or Rural Relief

 Nursery Relief, Disabled Relief, Business Growth Accelerator, Discretionary Sports Relief and

 Enterprise Areas Relief or Fresh Start but eligible for SBSS.

A £25,000 grant is also available to the ratepayers of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with property with a rateable value between £18,001 and £51,000.