THURROCK Council has handed over almost a million pounds on behalf of the government to local businesses in a bid to help offset the impact of the latest coronavirus restrictions.

The council today (Wednesday, 6 January) announced it has helped local businesses access more than £940k of support since the government announced the latest support package yesterday.

Latest payments take the total handed over to businesses in Thurrock to £25.5millon since the start of the pandemic.

So far 131 local businesses who have registered their details for business support grants have received their payments. The first 100 were paid on Tuesday, 5 January and a further 31 today.

The one-off top up payments, which were only made available yesterday, have been created to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. They are funded by the government but distributed to businesses by local councils.

The council says it is imperative that businesses provide them with the relevant details by registering for Local Restrictions Support through the online form on the link to receive their grant where eligible.

Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Shane Hebb said: "The government grants offer businesses a vital lifeline in these difficult times. Since the start of the pandemic Thurrock Council have provided grants to businesses to a total of £25.5m.

"The council is here to help and we are asking anyone who thinks their business might be eligible to go to our website and register for Local Restrictions Support as soon as they can.

"The sooner we have the details for your business the faster we can assess what support you are entitled too. I would like to thank council officers for going above and beyond to ensure these vital payments are processed as quickly as possible, so quickly after Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcement."

Business owners can also visit Thurrock Council's coronavirus business grants web page to find out more about the help on offer and update their contact and payment details through the online form.