Hundreds of South Kesteven small businesses have still to apply for much-needed government support to help them through the coronavirus crisis.

However, a survey by the government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, shows South Kesteven District Council is among the country's leading local authorities when it comes to paying out the vital grants.

Within less than three weeks of being allocated £31.7m of Government money to distribute, SKDC paid out £22.15m in 1,838 grants – with 900 payments made in the first 24 hours.

The response ranked the council 36th out of 315 local authorities nationwide responsible for administering the Government funded grant schemes.

SKDC Leader Coun Kelham Cooke said: "Supporting our local businesses through the Coronavirus is one of our top priorities. This is an outstanding achievement and would not have been possible without our dedicated staff working tirelessly to allocate money, while giving equally valuable guidance and advice."

Coun Cooke's comments come as the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, which covers parts of South Kesteven, lamented the record of councils in distributing the money.

However, the chamber's own table, using figures supplied by central government, showed SKDC, had the best record in dealing with the grants.

Chief executive John Bridge commented yesterday: "We are finding that much of the money is still sitting in Local Authority bank accounts when it is so desperately needed by businesses.

"It is difficult to understand the reasons behind this, and how there is such a significant difference between the local authorities that cover our Chamber area.

"It is imperative that the local authorities ensure these funds reach businesses as a matter of urgency. Many of these companies will not survive without these grants, which they are eligible to receive."

In South Kesteven, the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund are administered by InvestSK, the council's economic growth and regeneration company.

More than 2,500 businesses in South Kesteven eligible for the grants have been contacted and asked to complete an online declaration form so the grants can be paid directly to them.

"I would urge those businesses yet to do so to complete their paperwork so that we can help them access this funding," said Coun Cooke.

InvestSK provides a central point of contact for local businesses concerned about the impact of Coronavirus on their operations.

More details about the grants and a link to the declaration form for eligible businesses to complete is at www.investsk.co.uk/businessgrants

Businesses that do not qualify for the support can contact InvestSK about other support that may be available.