THE government has handed out almost £560m in grants to thousands of businesses across the North-East and North Yorkshire to help plug losses during the coronavirus pandemic.

Figures published on Monday (April 20), revealed a total of £6.11bn had been paid to small and medium-sized businesses across the UK as part of the coronavirus business support package.

The fund, which ranges from £10,000 to £25,000, is paid to each business's property and is designed to help replace lost revenue due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Across the region, 47,863 businesses have received the grant out of almost 71,000 businesses that are currently eligible for the support package.

According to figures, businesses across the North-East and North Yorkshire have received a total of £556m out of a £832m.

County Durham 

Darlington Borough Council - 1,499 grants made - £16,640,000

Durham County Council - 7,223 grants made - £79,700,000

Tyne and Wear, Northumberland

Gateshead Council - 2,417 grants made - £28,220,000

Newcastle City Council - 2,526 grants made - £32,790,000

North Tyneside Council - 2,506 grants made - £27,835,000

South Tyneside Council - 1,660 grants made- £19,075,000

Sunderland Council - 2,700 grants made - £30,360,000

Northumberland County Council - 5,531 grants made - £62,645,000

Teesside

Middlesbrough Council - 1,154 grants made - £13,430,000

Stockton Council - 2,018 grants made - £23,075,000

Redcar and Cleveland Council - 2,328 grants made - £27,135,000

Hartlepool Council - 1,242 grants made - £13,995,000

North Yorkshire

Hambleton District Council - 1,999 grants made - £22,945,000 

Richmondshire District Council - 1,230 grants made - £14,310,000

Scarborough Borough Council - 3,720 grants made - £43,170,000

Harrogate Borough Council - 2,697 grants made - £32,820,000

City of York Council - 2,601 grants made - £35,220,000

Craven District Council - 1,349 grants made - £15,980,000

Ryedale District Council - 1,463 grants made - £17,135,000

'This is just the start'

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the grants in what he described was a 'tough' period for businesses in Darlington, Hartlepool and Teesside.

He said: "It is fantastic news that government have already issued more than 8,000 grants, totalling more than £94 million, to help businesses in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool get through this difficult and unprecedented time caused by the coronavirus.

"This is just the start and even more hard working business owners will get their grants in the coming days and weeks.

“Business right across the country are facing challenges and my region is no different, so I’m pleased the government is making sure we get our fair share of support in the Tees Valley.

“I know this is a really tough time for businesses, but I cannot stress strongly enough that support is available to help those who are struggling, whether it is through this scheme or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme just to name some examples.

"By working together and helping each other, we can get through this unprecedented national challenge."