Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed reassurances given from Moray Council that it will start paying business grants from tomorrow (Thursday).
Douglas contacted Moray Council urging them to deliver on their promise to pay business grants within ten working days of applications being received.Concerns had been raised that the payments were being delayed due to the Easter break but the council have now changed their processes and the grants will start to be paid from Thursday 9th April.
Commenting Douglas said: “I’m pleased the council has now processed the first series of applications and that money will be paid into bank accounts before this week.
“I appreciate this is not an easy time for anyone and the council, like a lot of services and businesses is operating with reduced staff numbers and the challenges that home-working can bring.
“However, businesses have no revenue coming in due to the measures implemented to deal with coronavirus and I know that many are relying on these grants to stay afloat.
“I initially contacted the council after constituents were concerned that payments promised which were expected to start arriving this week – could be further delayed, due to the Easter bank holiday.
“A few days might not seem like much, but these grants are critical to the survival of some businesses and will enable them to start operating after the current restrictions are eased so they can contribute to a strong vibrant economy. We need these businesses to be in a position to do that.
“Many other local authorities are also starting to pay grants this week and I’m pleased that Moray Council has worked hard to keep in step with this.”