Neil Hamilton, AM for Mid & West Wales, and Leader of UKIP Wales is urging small businesses in his Region to make sure they apply for grants during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Hamilton, a member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs committee, is backing a call from the Federation of Small Businesses who fear many smaller firms in Wales are not aware of the support available to them.
He said: “I am concerned to hear of businesses not taking advantage of funding which is available to support them during this crisis.
“Whilst I know only too well that many companies and businesses are falling through the ‘safety nets’ thrown out by Chancellor Sunak, there are still many firms who do not realise they are eligible for various grants so it really is worth checking it out.
“The FSB is doing everything it can to support our smaller businesses during this extraordinary time and I am only too happy to support their call to help raise awareness of this matter.
“Only last week, in virtual plenary, I expressed my concern for those firms who fall through the safety net of the various funds on offer and urged Welsh Government to do everything possible to help them, not just now but also with ongoing support as the months go by.”
In a letter to AM’s, Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair said they were concerned to learn from some local authorities there are still a significant number of eligible firms in certain areas who have not applied for business grants.
“We know from our conversations that a surprising number of businesses remain unaware of the support available to them.
“It is crucial that businesses access the funding that will provide them with a lifeline over the coming months, and so anything that you can do to help raise awareness of the need for businesses to contact their local authorities and apply for business grants would be incredibly valuable.”
Businesses can check their eligibility for business support here: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/covid-19-support-business
Businesses that are eligible, or think they are, for the business grant. This is the first round of funding and not the Economic Resilience Fund, need to contact their local authority to apply and can find more information here: https://businesswales.gov.wales/covid-19-grants
