Micro, small, and medium-sized firms across different business sectors benefited from the funds available under the scheme, which was created to support businesses during and to recover from the impact of the global pandemic.
The new data – which includes a sector breakdown for the first time – showed over one-third of all available funding was allocated to the accommodation and food services sector, a part of the economy hit hardest by the pandemic.
The grant scheme was created by the UK government and administered by local authorities, with all regions in England found to have allocated most of their total available funds to businesses in need.
Small Business Minister Jane Hunt said in many cases, local authority business support grants were essential to businesses that found themselves really struggling and who are now able to recover, grow, and look to the future.
Data showed the accommodation and food services sector received the most funding. Businesses in this sector have also seen significant support from the government’s Hospitality Strategy, published in July 2021.
Firms operating in wholesale retail, arts and entertainment, recreation, and other services industries were also among the different business sectors to receive substantial help under the scheme.
Small businesses and others have also been supported through initiatives including the government’s Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), which has backed almost 19,000 firms with average support of £202,0000 each, as well as the increase in Employment Allowance, slashing of fuel duty, and the introduction of business rates relief for high-street businesses.
| Sector | Percentage of funds | Value of funds |
| Accommodation and food services | 36% | £8.2bn |
| Other services* | 19% | £4.3bn |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 16% | £3.5bn |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 14% | £3.2bn |
| Transportation and storage | 10% | £2.2bn |
| Manufacturing | 1% | £0.2bn |
| All other sectors | 4% | £0.9bn |
