New support from government available to self-employed in Western Isles’

This fund, to be administered by the Comhairle, is open to the recently self-employed who started trading between 5 April 2019 and 31 March 2020, who are excluded from the other forms of business support relating to COVID-19 disruption and are currently suffering hardship.

Cllr. Mackay said: “This is another welcome addition to the raft of business support schemes available.

“Inevitably some businesses have been slipping through the net and this will help plug another gap in our efforts to support our economy.

“The Comhairle and its partners in HIE and COSLA have lobbied for additional support and today’s announcement is very welcome.

“I would also take the opportunity to remind members of the business community of our own Local Business Support Scheme and the other source of support available.”

Grants of up to £2,000 are potentially available through the scheme, which will remain open while limited funds permit.

Full details on making an application are available at https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/coronavirus/business-resilience/

Business advice is available from Business Gateway on [email protected]