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Last week the Welsh Government announced a further £200m package of support for businesses affected by the current coronavirus restrictions.

The new funding will cover the period of January 25 to the end of March. This follows on from similar funding made available between December last year and January.

Businesses classed as non-essential retail, and those in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors can apply for help.

Announcing the extra funding, Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “Our support is in addition to that available from the UK Government, including the Job Retention Scheme and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme, and I encourage businesses to explore those options as well.

“I am also calling on the UK Government to provide further certainty to businesses and individuals by assuring that support available through interventions such as the Job Retention Scheme will not be withdrawn before the economy is ready.”

The Welsh Conservatives said the further support did not go far enough.

Shadow Minister for Finance Mark Isherwood MS said: “This has been a difficult period for our country, but as the vaccination rollout picks up pace and the finish line is in sight, it is for ministers in the coming weeks to lay out a roadmap to economic recovery in Wales.”

What’s available and how do businesses apply?

Support will mainly be paid out to businesses that have premises and are registered for non-domestic rates (NDR). If such an eligible company has previously applied for, and had a grant paid to it via the council, then it should receive the next lot of money automatically.

• £3,000 cash grant payment for non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses (NERHLT) with Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) qualifying rateable property with rateable value £12,000 or less. Supply chain businesses qualifying for SBRR will also be eligible for this support if they have greater than 40% reduction in turnover during the restriction period.
• £5,000 cash grant payment for NERHLT businesses occupying property with a rateable value between £12,001 and £51,000. Supply chain businesses in the same rateable value bracket will also be eligible for this support if they have greater than 40% reduction in turnover during the restriction period.
• A £5,000 cash grant payment for NERHLT businesses occupying property with a rateable value between £51,001 and £150,000. Supply chain businesses in the same rateable value bracket will also be eligible for this support if they have greater than 40% reduction in turnover during the restriction period.
• NERHLT businesses with a rateable value of between £150,001 and £500,000 will now be able to register for a one-off £5,000 payment if impacted by the restrictions. Supply chain businesses in the same rateable value bracket will also be eligible for this support if they have greater than 40% reduction in turnover during the restriction period.
• A discretionary grant of £2,000 is also available to assist NERHLT businesses that are not registered for business rates. Businesses will need to submit an application to the fund. These are being dealt with on a first-come-first served basis.

A Covid-19 Economic Resilience Fund Sector Specific Grant has closed. More information about this can be found on the Business Wales website.

For full details on what business support is available, and how to apply, visit Caerphilly County Borough Council’s website.

Details on how business owners can apply for furlough scheme, which covers 80% of an employee’s pay, can be found on the UK Government’s website.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to give its official name, has been extended until April 30, 2021.