Leeds City Council deserves praise for helping business -YEP says

The fact that Leeds City Council has been singled out for providing rapid delivery of grants to small firms does the city enormous credit.

By Mark Casci

Published 13th Apr 2020, 05:40 GMT

Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick highlighted the work done in Leeds to get £162m of much-needed grant funding to companies who were able to apply for as much as £25,000 during this most challenging of times.

While Leeds is home to some of the biggest companies in the country, the vast majority of its workforce is employed in small firms.

Leeds City Council is often lauded for its pro-business credentials. The swift deployment of these grants serves to further underscore that reputation.

The challenge now for the council and its business community is how it will respond once the shutdown affecting vast swathes of the city’s economy is gradually lifted.

The onus should and must be on safeguarding the jobs and livelihoods of those impacted, whilst ensuring Leeds retains its position as a leading business epicentre.