AQW 12498/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 12/01/2021
Answered On Date: 18/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) what COVID-19 support has been made available to food supply chain businesses; and (ii) whether she is considering additional support to these businesses.

Answer:

(i) The Executive has introduced an unprecedented range of support to businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, over £340 million of support has been provided via my Department.

Food supply chain businesses were eligible to apply for the £10,000 Small Business Support Grant Scheme and the NI Microbusiness Hardship Fund if the eligibility criteria were met.

My Department has introduced Part B of the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme which provides support to businesses not named in the Health Protection Regulations but are in the supply chain of those named businesses and have been severely impacted. To date, over £1.1 million of support has been provided through this scheme. Businesses in the food supply chain may be eligible if they meet wider scheme eligibility.

In addition to schemes operated by my Department, businesses may also receive rates relief and support for employee costs via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Full details of support available to businesses are available at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/campaign/coronavirus-updates-support-your-business.

(ii) In considering further interventions, including any new funding or packages of financial support, it will be for the Executive collectively to determine how this will be allocated to best support economic recovery.