Strategic Framework Business Fund

The Strategic Framework Business Fund provided grants to businesses required to close by law or to significantly change its operations due to COVID-19 restrictions from 2 November 2020

The Strategic Framework Business Fund will close to new applications on 22 March. This follows the First Minister’s Statement on 16 March which provided clarity on the easing of restriction and the re-opening of the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors.

Businesses in receipt of financial support will receive their final four weekly payment through this Fund on 22 March. As with previous months, this will consist:

• £2,000 for businesses with a Rateable Value up to £51,000
• £3,000 for businesses with a Rateable Value £51,001 or above.

What you can get

The final four-weekly payment from the Strategic Framework Business Fund will be made on 22 March 2021.

On 19 April 2021, all SFBF recipients will automatically receive a combined final two-week payment from the Fund and a one-off restart grant to help them reopen:

Retailers in receipt of SFBF will be eligible for grants up to £7,500 based on rateable value:

• For properties with a rateable value below £51,000: £7,000 (£6,000+£1,000)
• For properties with a rateable value above £51,001: £7,500 (£6,000+£1,500)

Hospitality and leisure in receipt of SFBF will be eligible for grants up to £18,000 based on rateable value:

• For properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under: £9,000 (£8,000+£1,000)
• For properties with a rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000: £13,000 (£12,000+£1,000).
• For properties with a rateable value of £51,001 or over: £19,500 (£18,000+£1,500).

How grants will be paid

They are replacing the pattern of recurring payments made through the SFBF with a one-off Restart Grant for business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector specifically to support them in meeting the costs associated with the costs of re-opening. These payments will be administered by local authorities. This bespoke support will be supplemented by UK Government support.

Eligibility

All businesses currently in receipt of support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund  will receive the final payment and Restart Grant.

How to apply

The Strategic Framework Business Fund will close to new applications on 22 March.

Restart Grants will be automatically paid to businesses currently in receipt of support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund. There is no separate application process for the Restart Grant.

Taxi Drivers Fund

If you are a licensed taxi or private hire driver experiencing financial challenge as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) you may be eligible to receive a one-off grant of £1,500. This support is separate from and in addition to any other funding you may have received from the Scottish or UK Government, for example the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the COVID-19 Public Transport Mitigation Fund. If you are eligible for a grant your local authority will get in touch with you, starting from week commencing 18 January 2021. If you have not been contacted by your local authority by 25 March then please contact them by this date.

Who is eligible

You may be eligible for a £1,500 grant if you are a taxi or private hire driver and have been licensed for the period 9 October 2020 to at least 31 January 2021. This does not include drivers whose licenses were suspended on or before 31 December 2020 and that remains current and valid. You must confirm that up to 31 December 2020:

• you have experienced loss of income (50% of turnover, compared with 2019) and incurred overhead costs and expenses
• you are or have been working or available for work as a taxi or private hire driver

Your local authority may ask to you to provide additional evidence to confirm if you are eligible. They will of course need your bank account details. In addition you must:

• not have breached COVID-19 regulations
• not have connections to tax havens, as set out in the Coronavirus regulations
• declare all previous support from UK, Scottish or local government support schemes

Taxi drivers in receipt of state benefits payments (Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Income Support) are now eligible. We amended the eligibility criteria, having written to the Department for Work and Pensions seeking assurances that the grant would not impact on Universal Credit payments. If you are in receipt of Universal Credit or some other DWP benefits, receiving this Grant may affect your benefit entitlement.  This could mean you need to pay some money back to DWP, or that your future payments are reduced.  You may also be able to deduct some business expenses.  How this affects you depends on your individual circumstances. You may wish to contact DWP to confirm how it would affect you. It will be for drivers, based on their individual financial circumstances, to consider any implications tax wise or indeed for other financial support and benefits that they receive.

West Dunbartonshire Council Application Info
Glasgow City Council Application Info