Extra £8m paid to companies in coronavirus grants this week by Northampton Borough Council

Northampton Borough Council is processing applications for grant support during the coronavirus pandemic, having been given the money by the Government,

As of Sunday (May 3), the authority has now processed 2,010 applications worth £25.6 million. It marks a significant leap, as on April 27 the figure stood at £17.6 million being sent to 1,363 firms.

The money has been passed on to the borough council to divvy out to eligible businesses from a Government pot. But the borough council was criticised for a slow start in handing out the money. After being told they would be handed the money within 10 days, some businesses said they were facing bankruptcy due to a three week wait.

Council leader Jonathan Nunn admitted in a recent interview that the council had been ‘too cautious’ in its approach, as the authority was unable to get a guarantee from the Government that they would cover for any mistakes when allocating money.

The Conservative leader said he was ‘genuinely sorry’ for those who had to wait, but also said that the council was ‘getting the hang of it’.

There is still almost £12 million left of the council’s original £37.3 million allocation from the government.

Meanwhile, at South Northamptonshire Council, just over £11.5 million has been sent out to 1,018 firms as of Sunday, an increase of £2.5 million for an extra 178 companies.

The council recently said that up to a quarter of eligible businesses had yet to apply for the grant, meaning it still has just under £6 million left to allocate.