Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether parish and town councils are eligible bodies for, and can therefore apply to, the (1) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (2) Small Business Grant Fund, and (3) Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

The?Small Business Grant Fund and the?Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund have?been designed to support smaller?and rural businesses?and?some of the sectors which have been hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It is not expected that parish and town councils would be eligible to receive a grant as they are not businesses. Where parish and town councils have set up organisations, including trusts, that meet the grant criteria, they may be eligible and parish and town councils should liaise with their relevant local authorities to determine whether this is the case.