Dumbarton High Street, where businesses are struggling to stay open.
By Democrat reporter
The Scottish Government must deliver over £250 million worth of unallocated business grants to businesses that have missed out on financial support, Jackie Baillie MSP has said.
Statistics published today have revealed that, for the Small Business Grant Scheme and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grant Scheme, some £252 million remains to be disbursed to businesses and 15,840 applications have not yet received grant funding.
Jackie Baillie MSP is calling on the Scottish Government to do what it can to deliver the funds to businesses or else hand the excess funds over to Scotland’s cash-strapped councils, including West Dunbartonshire.
Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh & Lomond, said:“That over £250 million remains unallocated to small businesses and nearly 16,000 applications have not been processed is an outrage.
“Small businesses and the hospitality sector need this funding as a matter of urgency. If we are to avoid a tidal wave of unemployment and business closures it is vital that the Scottish Government delivers financial support for businesses.
“If the Scottish Government cannot deliver these substantial funds to businesses then Scottish Labour is clear: all excess funds should be handed over to struggling councils.”