The Scottish Government must deliver over £250m worth of unallocated business grants to businesses that have missed out on financial support, Jackie Baillie MSP has said.

Statistics published today by the Scottish Government have revealed that, for the Small Business Grant Scheme and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grant Scheme, some £252m remains unallocated to businesses and 15,840 applications have not yet received grant funding.

Jackie Baillie MSP is calling on the Scottish Government to do what it can to deliver the funds to businesses or else hand the excess funds over to Scotland’s cash-strapped Local Authorities.

 

Commenting, Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh & Lomond said:

“That over £250m remains unallocated to small businesses and nearly 16,000 applications have not been processed is an outrage.

“Small businesses and the hospitality sector need this funding as a matter of urgency. If we are to avoid a tidal wave of unemployment and business closures it is vital that the Scottish Government delivers financial support for Scotland’s businesses.

“If the Scottish Government cannot deliver these substantial funds to businesses then Scottish Labour is clear: all excess funds should be handed over to Scotland’s cash-strapped councils.”

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

At close 8 September, Local Authorities (LAs) reported that over 106,000 applications have been received for the Small Business Grant Scheme and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grant Scheme across Scotland. Of these applications, over 90,000 grants valuing over £1,014m have been awarded.

The scheme closed on 10 July, £252 million is still unallocated and 15,840 applications have still not been processed.

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