New £6,000 Covid grants: All the businesses that qualify and how to claim support

By Henry Sandercock
Published 22nd Dec 2021, 12:37 BST
Updated 22nd Dec 2021, 12:41 BST
Many firms look set to be hit further over the coming days after Boris Johnson hinted further restrictions could be introduced after Christmas (image: Getty Images)Many firms look set to be hit further over the coming days after Boris Johnson hinted further restrictions could be introduced after Christmas (image: Getty Images)
Many firms look set to be hit further over the coming days after Boris Johnson hinted further restrictions could be introduced after Christmas (image: Getty Images)

The UK Government announced on Tuesday (21 December) that it would provide £1bn to support English businesses impacted by the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

It came after pleas for state financial aid from industries which had been hit by consumers opting to stay at home in the wake of the spread of the latest Covid variant.

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Many businesses look set to be hit further over the coming days after the Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted further restrictions could be introduced in England after Christmas and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced tougher new rules for Scotland.

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    So, which businesses can apply for the new funding - and when will it become available?

    Here’s everything you need to know.

    What is the funding package?

    The £1bn Covid support scheme for businesses will see a pot of £683m set aside for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises for firms in England.

    Equivalent schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet been announced, although under the Barnett formula, the devolved administrations should receive £80m, £50m and £25m respectively.

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    The funding is set to be made available through local authorities. When it will open and how the application process will work has not yet been announced.

    £102m of discretionary funding will also become available to local authorities to support other firms, the Government said.

    The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he understood the “huge uncertainty” businesses faced in the wake of Omicron (image: Getty Images)The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he understood the “huge uncertainty” businesses faced in the wake of Omicron (image: Getty Images)
    The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he understood the “huge uncertainty” businesses faced in the wake of Omicron (image: Getty Images)

    Announcing the aid package, the PM said: “With the surge in Omicron cases, people are rightly exercising more caution as they go about their lives, which is impacting our hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors at what is typically the busiest time of the year.

    “That’s why we’re taking immediate action to help with an extra £1 billion in grants to these industries and reintroducing our Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme.

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    “I urge people across the country to please get boosted now to secure vital protection for yourselves, your loved ones and your communities.”

    Which businesses are eligible for the money?

    As the PM said in his announcement, the funding is set to be primarily targeted at the hospitality and leisure sectors.

    Further guidance is set to be published later today (Wednesday 22 December), but these are many of the businesses which are set to be eligible for financial support:

    • Drive-in restaurants

    • Food courts

    • Pubs

    • Pub restaurants

    • Restaurants

    • Roadside restaurants

    • Wine bars

    • Cafes/restaurants within a specialist property

    • Nightclubs

    The Government has been urged to extend its financial Covid support measures to the travel industry (image: Getty Images)The Government has been urged to extend its financial Covid support measures to the travel industry (image: Getty Images)
    The Government has been urged to extend its financial Covid support measures to the travel industry (image: Getty Images)

    • Caravan sites and pitches

    • Chalet parks

    • Hotels

    • Hostels

    • Holiday lets

    • Bingo halls

    • Bowling alleys

    • Casinos and gambling clubs

    • Cinemas

    • Clubhouses

    • Theme parks

    • Ice rinks

    • Museums

    • Art galleries

    • Rollerblade or skating rinks

    • Stately homes and historic houses

    • Theatres

    Hospitality and leisure bosses had warned they were struggling in the wake of the Omicron variant (image: AFP/Getty Images)Hospitality and leisure bosses had warned they were struggling in the wake of the Omicron variant (image: AFP/Getty Images)
    Hospitality and leisure bosses had warned they were struggling in the wake of the Omicron variant (image: AFP/Getty Images)

    • Zoos and safari parks

    • Amusement parks

    • Arenas

    • Concert halls 

    • Go Kart tracks

    • Model villages

    • Tourist attractions

    • Aquaria

    • Miniature railways

    • Heritage railways

    • Village halls (as well as Scout and Cadet Huts)

    • Amusement arcades

    • Royal Palaces

    • Pleasure piers

    • Pavilions

    • Conference and exhibition centres

    • Public halls

    One business chief has said the Government aid ‘won’t scratch the surface’ (image: AFP/Getty Images)One business chief has said the Government aid ‘won’t scratch the surface’ (image: AFP/Getty Images)
    One business chief has said the Government aid ‘won’t scratch the surface’ (image: AFP/Getty Images)

    While the money has been welcomed, some business leaders have said it will not cover their losses.

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