DUDLEY Council has paid out more than £24 million in grants to nearly 2,100 businesses to survive the coronavirus crisis, it has been revealed.

£12.3 billion from national government has been distributed to local authorities around the country which is then paid out to businesses in grants in a bid to help them survive the impact of Covid-19.

So far 2,100 businesses in the Dudley borough have received help, accessing a slice of £24 million, council chiefs say.

Council bosses say the majority of applications received so far have been completed but the council will be contacting businesses who have not yet applied for grants over the next few weeks to offer the extra financial help.

Alongside this, the local authority has wiped £45 million in business rates for more than 1,500 businesses in retail, leisure and hospitality and nurseries.

Welcoming the measures, Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said: "This is fantastic news for businesses – a double-barrelled package of rescue measures.

"On the one hand you have millions of pounds being given to them in grants and on the other hand we are wiping millions of pounds from their business rates bills.

"This is a double financial impact and will no doubt go a long way to easing their concerns at such a difficult time.

"I said at the very beginning we would do all we can to support businesses and this huge investment is us keeping to our word."

The business rates relief element will happen automatically and there is no need to apply.

Smaller businesses, with rateable values of up to £15,000, can still apply for grants of £10,000 while certain medium to larger firms in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries, with rateable values of between £15,000 and £51,000, have access to grants of £25,000.