Financial helpfor Covid-hit businesses

Businesses that have so far been unable to access financial support during the pandemic are being urged to apply to a new fund.

South Lanarkshire Council’s Discretionary Business Fund can provide a one-off hardship grant of £3000 to firms with up to 10 employees, which are experiencing financial challenges as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and regulations.

The amount increases up to £6000 for those employing between 11 and 24 people, and £9000 for 2549 employees, and is funded by the Scottish Government.

However, the cash is only available to those businesses that have not been able to access the Strategic Framework Business Fund or other business grant funds provided by the Scottish Government, with particular focus on those that have been without financial support since last October.

Applications are invited from any local business that falls into one of these three categories:

■ Supply chain businesses that service firms that have been closed or restricted by the regulations

■ Businesses that have been impacted by travel restrictions including cleaners, dog groomers and removal services

■ Businesses which do not operate from business premises

In addition, anyone applying must also meet a number of criteria:

■ Be a small or micro enterprise employing fewer than 50 staff and based in South Lanarkshire

■ Be ineligible for any other scheme of support introduced since October by the Scottish Government including any new schemes which may be announced by the Scottish Government prior to the end of March

■ Be able to demonstrate that trading income for October to December 2020 was significantly impacted by Covid-19, and reduced by at least 30 per cent when compared to the same period the previous year

■ Have been trading as of October 9, 2020

Businesses in administration, insolvent, or where a striking-off notice has been made, will not be eligible for financial support through this fund.

Applicants will be prompted and guided through the online process.

However, it won’t be possible to save and return to the application, so all necessary info must be available for upload.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has warned that bogus inspectors have been removing family pets from their homes.

The charity warned communities, including Rutherglen and Cambuslang residents, to be vigilant following a number of reports of fraudsters trying to dupe owners into handing over their animals.

The callous tricksters are using a white van with Scottish SPCA stickers on it.

But officials say that SSPCA vans are predominantly black with the charity’s branding.

Genuine inspectors will be able to produce photographic ID and will be happy to provide residents with their vehicle registration.

Residents are being told that if they are suspicious about a caller who comes to their home, they should ask them to wait outside and call the charity immediately.

Genuine inspectors will understand householders’ need to make this request.

Reports of incidents in the South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Perthshire

This must be distressing for the owners

areas prompted officials to ask pet owners to be vigilant.

Chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We are very concerned for the welfare of the animals who have been taken by people posing as the Scottish SPCA.

“Our thoughts are with the owners as this must be incredibly distressing.

“First and foremost we would urge anyone who has experienced this to get directly in touch with us.

“We will then notify Police Scotland who can investigate this fraudulent behaviour.

“We believe the person/s to be in a white van with a Scottish SPCA sticker on it. Our vans are predominantly black with Scottish SPCA branding.

“Our inspectors will always be in uniform and will be able to provide identification badges with a photo and authorisation.

“Our inspectors will also be happy to provide you with vehicle registration.”

SSPCA is urging anyone who is approached in this manner to get in touch.

If anyone can provide any more information, they should call the confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999 immediately.