The Scottish Conservatives have expressed concern that too many businesses are not receiving the financial support they deserve after it was revealed that, despite complaints, there were still thousands of applications for support outstanding.
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Donald Cameron said: “These figures show progress on getting emergency cash to businesses has stalled across Scotland, with 15,000 still waiting for support."
“This is a major concern because we will not be able to turn the corner and revive the economy after the pandemic if businesses have collapsed in the meantime, despite the fact that our hardworking council workers are doing their very best to get vital cash out to vulnerable businesses.”
Mr Cameron, a Highlands and Islands MSP, added: “Many businesses in my region are suffering from severe cash-flow problems exacerbated by the collapse in visitor numbers which are so important to the Highlands and Islands."
“We simply need to see greater urgency in helping them get through this.”
The number of firms whose applications have not been approved has now remained steady for two weeks, despite a significant slowing in those applying.
Statistics released today revealed 15,217 were still waiting for the much-needed support. Last week, the Scottish Conservatives highlighted how 16,000 businesses still hadn’t received the coronavirus cash, and the week before that, the figure stood at nearly 17,000.
The SNP has been repeatedly criticised for its failure to support the economy as the pandemic has spread across the country.
Scotland-only loopholes have stopped many businesses from accessing money, while thousands of firms with more than one premises were initially told they’d get significantly less help than their counterparts south of the border.
The number of grants which have been approved by council area is set out below.
Applications Received and Grants Awarded as at 2nd June 2020
Local Authority Applications Received* Grants Awarded Value of Grants Awarded (£m)
Aberdeen City 2,092 1,722 £21.37m
Aberdeenshire 3,794 3,287 £37.22m
Angus 2,077 1,700 £18.42m
Argyll and Bute 3,236 2,759 £29.42m
Clackmannanshire 693 566 £6.19m
City of Edinburgh 7,186 6,499 £83.82m
Dumfries and Galloway 4,047 3,437 £36.09m
Dundee City 2,370 1,990 £22.75m
East Ayrshire 1,965 1,621 £17.66m
East Dunbartonshire 1,126 976 £10.97m
East Lothian 1,453 1,328 £15.11m
East Renfrewshire 826 695 £8.21m
Falkirk 2,242 1,887 £21.22m
Fife 4,948 4,104 £46.29m
Glasgow City 9,757 7,422 £88.21m
Highland 6,317 5,510 £60.00m
Inverclyde 994 781 £8.61m
Midlothian 968 864 £10.16m
Moray 1,710 1,471 £16.10m
Na h-Eileanan Siar 847 687 £7.30m
North Ayrshire 2,270 1,943 £21.11m
North Lanarkshire 3,945 3,081 £33.43m
Orkney Islands 733 545 £5.94m
Perth & Kinross 3,849 2,969 £32.51m
Renfrewshire 2,670 2,023 £22.90m
Scottish Borders 3,061 2,271 £24.77m
Shetland Islands 734 651 £7.20m
South Ayrshire 2,114 1,714 £19.51m
South Lanarkshire 3,762 3,179 £35.77m
Stirling 2,327 1,850 £21.31m
West Dunbartonshire 1,329 1,071 £12.06m
West Lothian 2,397 2,019 £22.94m
Total 87,839 72,622 £824.54m
