Getting financial help to the most vulnerable

Bury Council is moving quickly to allocate government funding and make sure this gets to most vulnerable residents and businesses.

Staff worked over the Easter weekend to process grants of £10k and £25k to local companies, taking the total to 1,100 grants worth £16.5 million.

However, the council estimates that around 1,800 companies have yet to make contact to access the help they need, and is writing to all of them this week urging them to get in touch.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, cabinet member for finance and housing, said: “We have set up a dedicated team to act as a bridge between national, regional and local help to businesses during this emergency.

“We’re working flat out to get help to the neediest businesses in Bury, and need to hear from everyone who thinks they could be eligible for support.

“We are also working on a range of options to support key employers in Bury, whose survival will be crucial in making sure the borough’s economy can thrive once we emerge from the crisis.”

A further £3 million is available through the Greater Manchester Growth Hub, of which Bury is a member, to support businesses across GM that are experiencing financial problems.

For details of the business help available, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15349

Meanwhile, the council is assisting around 8,500 households who receive council tax support by reducing their annual bill by £150.

And with more than 500 volunteers now recruited to across the borough to help our most vulnerable, the council has released £30k of funding to support voluntary groups in their efforts.

It has also transferred £20k to support the network of food banks across the borough.

Today, the council agreed to put another £50k into a partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau to ensure that people claim all the benefits they are entitled to.

Cllr O’Brien added: “These are unprecedented times and many people are struggling in the economic downturn. We are determined to do all we can to protect the most vulnerable.”

“We’re also looking at bringing in additional support for those who are still in work but struggling due to reduced income or working hours.

“We have a hardship fund which people in crisis can access, which is at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15315”

ENDS

Press release issued: 17 April 2020.