I know this was said in jest, and I am 100% supportive of grants that help to keep businesses in business, but it does worry me that a lot companies and individuals will claim these grants whether they actually need them or not. Surely there should be some kind of control on this to ensure that they are only going to companies and individuals that really need them to stay afloat. And surely businesses and individuals that receive them should be asked to repay them either if they didn’t really need them or, perhaps, when they are back up and running and achieve certain future profitability. Because ultimately the cost of these grants will fall to be met by the UK taxpayer and mostly to those that have not benefited from them
I understand you're point and do agree to an extent as some in business don't have a moral compass let alone know which way round to hold it.
However if I could claim it I would for a couple of reasons. I am sure Mark will agree with me in that as a small business especially at start up stage you get little no no help from anyone of much use in reality. So when you can actually get some you will take it as you might not need it now but you might need it in a month or so of longer if this crisis deepens.
People are very uncertain about theie businessed future tomorrow onwards so need to protect it as much as they can. There will be some that fail that might cause other more solid companies issues or to fail through bad debts. I fear this issue could be very real.
Many in here or otherwise have often got themselves into better positions through hard work, sacrifice,.savings, taking some chances and sheer determined unwavering grit. Now and again it would be nice to have a little help so you can take a small breath and stop to enjoy life a little.
You get left alone and a little detached as a small business often. I get no care, calls, interest, concern, help or anything from any govt dept at all. Never....not one. The only contact I ever get is when they demand we fill extensive statistical survey's or you'll be fined if you don't. They don't pay for our time so many hours is often spent.
The banks are the same. I get no care, calls, interest, concern, help or anything from any bank at all. Except one......sometimes not always I get a yearly review call that lasts 2 mins as a tick box excercise. They ask how is your business doing and is all OK? I reply.....what do we do as a business and how long have we been in business? Thy can't answer and have no idea! Worthless.
Do I feel the govt care about our businesses? No. When a rare opportunity to claim some assistance at a time when they really really need it.....should a business take this? Yes, d4mn right they should.
It is very much a one way street with a small business and govt. Certainly not a one way street in our favour. How many small businesses.survive today I don't know.....how they will survive through this and tomorrow I really dont know!