AS of February 24, Ealing Council had failed to make any funds available to businesses struggling with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, despite receiving nearly £10 million in government funds.

The Events Industry Alliance (EIA), which represents the UK's event organisers, venues and suppliers, submitted Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to the 314 councils across the country who are responsible for distributing the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG).

Of the 40 councils that responded to questions, it was revealed that just 13% of the money had been handed out.

Ealing Council was one of those councils that replied, revealing it had received £9,872,400 in ARG funding, but had not made a single payment (as of February 24).

That means that as of three weeks ago, the Council was still sitting on nearly £10 million in government funds intended for local businesses.

Andrew Harrison, a director at the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), which is part of the EIA, said: "It is deeply concerning that local authorities appear not to have paid out 87% of the emergency funding first given to them by the Government nearly four months ago."

He called on the Government to do more to ensure ARG funds are received faster with COVID-19 restrictions remaining in place.

He said: "We are making an urgent call on the UK Government and local MPs across England to provide clear guidance to local authorities on issuing the ARG, in order that payments are made to eligible companies as soon as possible."

Founder of Ealing Independents, Leslie Bunder, told Nub News: "It's amazing how it's been months and yet Ealing Council hasn't done anything about it yet.

"And amazingly, the Conservatives and Lib Dems have not followed up.

"At least Ealing Independents are."

Ealing Council was contacted for comment more than 48 hours before the article was published but failed to reply in time.

This is the Council's reply once the article was published: "The Council formally approved the schemes for the allocation of the grant on February 1, which appears to have coincided with the date of response listed for the FoI, explaining the £0 return.

"To date £1.92 million has been allocated towards Business Support Grants and the remaining grant will be distributed across six grant schemes.

"Three schemes opened for applications on February 26, with a closing date of March 22.

"We expect to pay most of the successful applicants before April."