AQW 13412/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 26/01/2021
Answered On Date: 01/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the (i) types of businesses; and (ii) self-employed people who are ineligible for financial supports related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by the UK Government and the NI Executive to date.

Answer:

My Department has provided over £380 million of lifeline support to local businesses and is currently delivering grant support to businesses across all sectors and occupations throughout Northern Ireland. The Executive is committed to delivering support to as wide a range of businesses as possible.

Grant support schemes remain open to businesses and self –employed individuals and details of the eligibility criteria can be found on the NI Business Info website at www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk. I would encourage any business or self-employed individual who believe they meet the eligibility criteria to make an application as soon as possible.

Whilst the Executive and my own Department continue to receive calls for specific targeted support, it is simply not possible to design and fund schemes for every type of business or employment across our society.