How do I get the government £3,000 coronavirus England grant?

UPDATED: The government has announced small businesses that already pay little or no business rates will be eligible for a one-off coronavirus grant worth up to £3,000. However, last night (17 March), the Chancellor increased this amount to £10,000.

Read more about the update at What does the latest Treasury stimulus mean for small business?

>See also: How do I apply for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan?Around 700,000 businesses in England currently eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBBR) or Rural Rate Relief can apply for the emergency funding.

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy will be writing to local authorities this week to outline the scheme, and encourage local authorities to prepare.

However, once up-and-running, your local authority will contact you rather than having to apply yourself.

And funding will not be available until April, as stated on the government website.

This additional funding for local authorities who collect business rates is part of a package of fiscal measures to help small business survive the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus grant only applies to small business in England. Business rates in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set by their devolved administrations.

Business rates scrapped

All retail, leisure and hospitality companies will be exempt from business rates for a whole year.

The government will also review the long-term future of business rates, a property tax which many say is unfair given the rise of online shopping and out-of-town retail parks.

Scotland announces £80m small business grant fund

The Scottish government has announced an £80 million fund to provide grants of at least £3,000 to small businesses in sectors facing the worst economic impact of COVID-19.

Scottish Enterprise says that how it will be administered and what it will look like has not been decided yet. Announcements will be made over the next few days.