From 4 March, State Aid was replaced by the Business Grant Subsidy Allowance.
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, nonetheless under the Withdrawal Agreement the State aid rules continue to apply during a transition period, subject to regulation by the EU Commission. The Local Authority must be satisfied that all State aid requirements have been fully met and complied with when making grant payments, including, where required, compliance with all relevant conditions of the EU State aid de minimis regulation, the EU Commission Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak, the approved COVID-19 Temporary Framework for UK Authorities, and any relevant reporting requirements to the EU Commission.
Payments made can be provided under the existing de minimis rules, to any one organisation over a three fiscal year period, provided doing so does not exceed the €200,000 threshold. Payments made where the de minimis threshold has been reached should be paid under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework for UK Authorities (threshold €800,000).
The amended Temporary Framework enables EU Member States to give up to the nominal value of €800,000 per company. This can be combined also with so-called de minimis aid (to bring the aid per company to up to €1 million) and with other specific types of aid. Any business that has reached the limits of payments permissible under the De Minimis and the UK COVID-19 Temporary State Aid Framework will not be able to receive further grant funding.
Use the button below to find more information about the COVID-19 Temporary State Aid Framework.