Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy
In late December I issued statements about the £120m financial support that has been made available for businesses impacted by Omicron, I can now confirm that subject to meeting the eligibility criteria the funding will also be available to newly established businesses.
The Welsh Government recognises that there is a need to support those who started a new business in the summer months.
The funding will provide a potential lifeline to those who have recently established their business and help them to continue trading through the period 13 December 2021 to 14 February 2022 despite being impacted by the spread of Omicron.
To be eligible businesses must have been trading on or before the 1st September 2021.
An eligibility checker for the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) element of the funding is available on the Business Wales website. The checker can be found at COVID-19 Crisis Support Tool | Business Wales (gov.wales)
The registration process for the non-domestic rates linked grants delivered by local authorities will open on the 13th January 2022 and the application process for the local authority delivered discretionary funding, along with the Economic Resilience Fund opening the following week. Payments will start within days of opening.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.