Over a quarter of a billion pounds paid out to Yorkshire businesses

Businesses across Yorkshire have now benefited from over £279m of grants as local authorities work to support businesses and protect jobs during the current pandemic.

In York which has so far distributed over £34m alongside offering £66m in rates relief, Councillor Keith Aspden, leader of the city council said: “We have listened to businesses and recognised that processing these payments as quickly as possible was vital to ensuring the long-term resilience of businesses and York’s economy.”

In Leeds the council has announced it is planning for the reopening of the city and confirmed it has already paid out £86m of grants. While in Calderdale almost half of all businesses registered in the district have now received grant funding totalling £25m.

In South Yorkshire, it’s a similar story with Barnsley council having paid out £34.6m

The latest figures for the pay out of Covid-19 grants for each local authority (based on the latest media releases and response to requests by TheBusinessDesk.com) are:

• • Leeds City Council – £86m
  • City of York Council – £34m
  • Calderdale Council – £25m
  • Kirklees Council – £42.6m
  • Wakefield Council – £32m
  • Bradford City Metropolitan District Council – £25m
  • Barnsley Council – £34.6m

Cllr Jane Scullion

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and resources, Councillor Jane Scullion, said: “Businesses have told us how much they’re relying on these grants to help support them through the many challenges associated with these unprecedented times.

“Payments are being made in the order that the businesses registered for the grants and council teams are working as quickly as possible to verify applications and process payments.

“We want every eligible business to receive the relevant support grant, and I encourage businesses to check the criteria and, if appropriate, ensure they register on the council’s website.”

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a further boost of £1.6bn for local councils at the weekend however, Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake recently told the BBC that despite welcoming the funding from Government, the council was facing a loss of income of approximately £102m as a result of unpaid business and council tax rates, and a loss of income from sports centres, planning and car parking fees. At present the council anticipates a £130m shortfall as a result of the Coronavirus situation.