More than £88m paid in business grants

More than £88 million has been paid out to 7,234 businesses by Gwent councils to help aid them in the coronavirus crisis.

Businesses across Gwent have been applying and receiving grants from local councils to support them through the coronavirus pandemic.

So far the Gwent councils have distributed £88.3 million of business grants in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Wales has been on lockdown since March 23 and many businesses have suffered as a result.

Businesses in Wales can apply for two grants to support them through the coronavirus pandemic, after the Welsh Government announced a £200 million support package.

Despite concerns raised at the start from local businesses, Caerphilly County Borough Council has paid the most out to the largest number of businesses. 2,224 businesses have received payments from the council, worth a total of £26.2 million.

Newport council has paid out £22.5 million to 1,780 businesses, Monmouthshire council has paid out £16.3 million to 1,240 businesses and Torfaen council has paid out £12.6 million to 1,065 businesses.

Blaenau Gwent council is the only one yet to reach the 1,000 mark having released funds worth £10.4 million to 925 businesses.

The grants are all non-repayable and although funding has come from the Welsh Government businesses apply through their local council who also distributes the funds.