The Ulster Unionist Party’s East Belfast MLA, Andy Allen MBE, has urged the Executive to bring forward much needed clarity on the Coronavirus restrictions and deploy all necessary resources to the grant teams dealing with the Department of Finance’s Localised Restrictions Support Scheme and the Department for the Economy’s Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme, to clear the huge backlog of applications.

Andy Allen MLA said:

“I have been inundated with messages and correspondence from businesses and many constituents who are crying out for clarity regarding the Executive’s position on the latest restrictions. I appreciate the Executive have complex and difficult decisions to make when considering what, if any, restrictions are required beyond the current restrictions. However, it is unacceptable that the Executive have left us all in the dark, often up to the 11th hour before they communicate their position.

“I am also concerned by the number of businesses and individuals who have contacted me seeking assistance to obtain an update on the status of their applications. Over three weeks on from introduction of the restrictions, many have still not received this vital support. I urge the Economy Minister and Finance Minister to deploy all necessary resources to the grant teams to get these much needed funds out to those who desperately require it.

“Furthermore it is essential that the Economy Minister opens the other funding streams as a matter of urgency, including bringing forward funds for the recently self-employed and those who to date have not been able to avail of the various schemes.

“Businesses need clarity on the restrictions in order to plan effectively. An announcement at the 11th hour is simply not good enough.”