Since July 2020, self-employed business owners in the Borders have been able to apply for four consecutive grants to help alleviate the economic impact of Covid-19.
In the Borders, 2,800 individual claims were made, and a total of £8,000,000 was awarded across these claims. The average value per claim was £2,800. This is exactly the same as for the UK average.
Across the UK, 2.8 million individuals had received a grant by 9 May 2021. The value of these claims totals £24.5 billion.
In Scotland, by 9 May 2021, 105,000 self-employed individuals had claimed for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). The value of these claims totals £294 million.
The SEISS online claims service for the fifth grant will be available from late July 2021.
Separately, the furlough scheme has provided a safety net for millions of workers.
In the Borders, 17,400 individuals have been furloughed between March 2020 and 30th April cumulatively.
UK-wide, 11.5 million jobs have been supported by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) since it started in March 2020 (claims made up to 14 May 2021). The monetary value of these claims is £64 billion.
The beverage serving activities sector had the highest proportion of eligible employees, followed by the hotels/accommodation and passenger air transport.
In Scotland, the cumulative number of employees furloughed during the pandemic was 901,900 as of 30th April 2021.
The furlough scheme has been extended until 30 September 2021.
John Lamont MP said:
“I am proud that the UK Government has supported businesses here in the Borders through the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and the furlough scheme.
“It is right that during this challenging time, individuals here in the Borders as well as our local businesses have been given funding through these schemes.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Chancellor has announced a huge package of support for employed and self-employed people across the UK. In total, this has amounted to over £300 billion.
“We must do whatever it takes to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK, Scotland and in the Borders.
“I am pleased that many Borderers have been able to benefit from these UK Government schemes, and continue to do so in our recovery from the pandemic.”
