Fraudsters could delay crucial lockdown payments to business
them if they’re wrong,” said Coun Miller.
“We’ve also had people trying to defraud the system.
“We’ve got to look at everythingverycarefully,thisispublicmoneyandtheteamlooking at this are working their socks off.”
In response to the coronavirus outbreak the government ploughed £12.3billion into its Small Business Grants Scheme.
This saw Sunderland allocated almost £53million, with about 4,300 companies identified as potentially eligible for payouts.
Within two days of receiving the government cash the city council had made at least 250 payments, totalling £3.34million.
As of Friday, the value of approved2,947grantsamounted to £33.1million.
Coun Robert Oliver, leader of the city’s opposition Conservative
group, said: “This is a hugely challenging time for businesses, especially for the firms that are at the heart of our local community in Sunderland where there are many family-owned and small-tomedium businesses that will need support to survive the lockdown.
“It’s reassuring to know thatthesupportannouncedby the Government has reached businesses in Sunderland and is helping to protect people’s livelihoods.
“However, we would urge thecounciltoexpeditetheprocesstohelpotherbusinessesin Sunderland who desperately need this support”.
Coun Miller praised ministers for their initial steps to combat the economic damage caused by the virus.
Buthealsowarnedtheyhad been too slow to react to the changing situation since then, particularly in relation to the impact on charities, sole traders,theself-employedandother small businesses.”