BUSINESSES in the borough have benefited from more than £4.3 million in government grants distributed by Thurrock Council.

The figure was announced today (Monday, 6 April) as the coronavirus lockdown continues to massively impact on local firms – and on the day it was announced the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Thurrock has climbed to 120, from yesterday's figure of 105!

Nationally a further 439 people have died across the UK after contracting coronavirus, bringing the death toll to 5,373 and the cumulative number of confirmed cases stands at 51,608.

Thurrock's lead councilor for finance detailed this afternoon what the council has been doing to help local businesses including distributing grants, which were made available last week, to help firms stay afloat.

In Thurrock, 340 local businesses have received their payments. The first 47 were paid on Friday (3 April). After the council's finance team worked through the weekend another 293 were ready for payment today.

The council has reiterated that it is imperative that businesses provide the council with the relevant details through the council's online form to receive their grant where eligible.

Thurrock cabinet finance portfolio holder Cllr Shane Hebb said: "The government grants offer businesses a vital lifeline in these difficult times and we are doing everything we can to make sure local businesses get them as quickly as possible.

"Thurrock Council is here to help and we want to make sure that we have the correct contact and payment details. That is why we are asking anyone who thinks their business might be eligible to go to our website and fill in the relevant form.

"The sooner we have the correct details for local businesses the faster we can make sure they get their money. My thanks to my finance colleagues for going above the usual call of duty by working through the weekend to continue processing these vital payments."

The council added the best way for local businesses who have not received their grant yet to speed up payment is to make sure that the council has the correct contact and payment details to enable swift payment to businesses, many of which will be closed and cannot receive post.

Any business owner who thinks they are eligible for one of these grants should go to Thurrock Council's business rates web page to find out more about the help on offer and update their contact and payment details through the council's online form.