John Lamont MP has highlighted the number of businesses in the Borders supported by the UK Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS).
New data from the British Business Bank shows that in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, 2,112 loans worth £78,940,043 have been offered across both CBILS and BBLS.
The data shows that these schemes, which closed on 31 March 2021, were distributed evenly across the UK’s three Devolved Nations and nine regions, helping businesses to access the finance they needed to support their businesses during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Lamont welcomes the vast support the UK Government have provided throughout this crisis. Alongside the furlough scheme, hundreds of thousands of jobs and livelihoods have been supported across the Borders.
John Lamont MP said:
“At every turn, the UK Government has gone above and beyond to support businesses and livelihoods in the Borders and right across the UK.
“Business loans have been a crucial lifeline, with almost £80 million worth of support being offered in the Borders alone.
“While the SNP have been slow to deliver, the UK Government has stepped up and announced a huge package of financial support.
“I am delighted that so many Borderers have been able to benefit from these UK Government schemes. This has undoubtedly saved local jobs.”
