Ulster Unionist Economy Spokesperson, John Stewart MLA, has stated that businesses are begging for financial support from the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme announced by Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA on 22nd October 2020.

Mr Stewart said:

“Businesses deserve straight answers from the Minister for the Economy about the delivery of the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme because so far it can only be described as late, chaotic and shambolic. And it`s not good enough for the Minister to pass the buck to other agencies linked to her department.

“Diane Dodds announced the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme on the 22nd October, yet to date very few businesses have received any financial support. Thousands of small business owners in the health and beauty, hospitality and driving sectors who applied when the scheme first opened are still frantically waiting for an update on their applications having been told they might have to wait up to 5 weeks for a payment.  Can the Minister explain to businesses why it is taking so long to get applications processed and what she is going to do to sort it out?

“I have had business owners in contact with me begging for help and crying out for faster processing of applications. I have tried repeatedly to get answers for them, but now we seem to be hitting a brick wall when it comes to getting information, with calls not being returned and emails not even being acknowledged. The Executive is sitting on approximately half a billion pounds of UK tax-payers money, yet a lot of businesses are sitting with zero financial support. It`s not good enough and it doesn`t say much for the Minister`s stewardship of the Department for the Economy.”