Fraud checks are delaying the payments of Government Restart Grants, leaving operators frustrated and helpless.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has asked local authorities to carry out pre and post payment fraud checks,
The Morning Advertiser (MA) understands.
This means a more rigorous approach than with previous business support grants, including company and bank account checks to reduce the risk of fraud or payments in error.
BEIS has asked councils to pay eligible applicants by 31 July 2021 after councils received the funding on 1 April 2021.
Derbyshire operator Lee Mills described confusion and anger after communicating with his local authority over when a grant payment may be made.