Written Question · S5W-28211 · Session 5
whether it plans to introduce a financial assistance package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that will allow each franchised retail p…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a financial assistance package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that will allow each franchised retail property to apply for a cash grant of £25,000 as opposed to just one, similar to that in England.
The answer
On 15 April, the Scottish Government announced the Second Phase of the Business Grants Funding Scheme which will commence on 5 May, and expands upon the measures announced on 18 March 2020.
The new measures are specifically aimed at ratepayers with more than one property. In addition to the 100% grant on their first eligible property, ratepayers with additional qualifying properties will be eligible to apply for a 75% grant on each additional property. This will make available Small Business Grants of £7,500 and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants of £18,750 on any additional qualifying properties that a ratepayer may have, subject to compliance with EU State Aid Rules.
We have also extended the eligibility for the £10,000 Small Business Grant to additional ratepayers not covered by the original scheme. Eligibility for this scheme has been extended to:
Ratepayers that hold one or more properties within retail, hospitality or leisure, with individual rateable values not exceeding £18,000, and a cumulative rateable value between £35,001 and £51,000 will now be eligible for the Small Business Grant Scheme on each of their retail, hospitality or leisure properties;Sports clubs eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme but in receipt of discretionary sports relief;Properties eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme but in receipt of Enterprise Areas relief; andArms’ Length External Organisations where they meet the eligibility criterion
The new measures are specifically aimed at ratepayers with more than one property. In addition to the 100% grant on their first eligible property, ratepayers with additional qualifying properties will be eligible to apply for a 75% grant on each additional property. This will make available Small Business Grants of £7,500 and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants of £18,750 on any additional qualifying properties that a ratepayer may have, subject to compliance with EU State Aid Rules.
We have also extended the eligibility for the £10,000 Small Business Grant to additional ratepayers not covered by the original scheme. Eligibility for this scheme has been extended to:
Ratepayers that hold one or more properties within retail, hospitality or leisure, with individual rateable values not exceeding £18,000, and a cumulative rateable value between £35,001 and £51,000 will now be eligible for the Small Business Grant Scheme on each of their retail, hospitality or leisure properties;Sports clubs eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme but in receipt of discretionary sports relief;Properties eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme but in receipt of Enterprise Areas relief; andArms’ Length External Organisations where they meet the eligibility criterion
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-28211 by reference.