More than 250 small businesses in Upper Bann yet to receive COVID grants

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly received the information from Economy Minister Diane Dodds and called on Mrs Dodds to urgently release the funding for local businesses.

In a response to Mrs Kelly’s query, the minister revealed that for the £10k Small Business Support Grant, 1,453 businesses in the Upper Bann constituency have been granted payments.

Mrs Dodds, who was coopted as an MLA for Upper Bann, said: “There are 251 small businesses in the constituency, where an application has been made to the online portal with valid IDs, or where bank details are held against a Direct Debit in the Land & Property Services rating system, which are still awaiting a decision on their application.”

In relation to the £25k Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Grant scheme 205 businesses have been paid grants in Upper Bann as of 3 June. Three applications are currently being processed.

Mrs Kelly said: “I have been contacted by a number of businesses across the constituency, who have applied for various business support grants and have been waiting months without receiving a single penny.”

“I wrote to the Minister for Economy, Diane Dodds MLA, a number of weeks ago and she confirmed to me that 251 small businesses are still awaiting a decision on their application.

“Acknowledging the hard work of Departmental officials and recognising this is a complex process, this delay is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed.

“Many of these businesses will be reopened or gone before they receive any government support and it is not good enough.

“I will continue to press the Ministers for Economy and Finance to address this without any further delay. It has been an incredibly difficult time for businesses across Upper Bann and they need this support urgently.”

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