National League requests Government meeting minutes
01.02.2021
The National League has asked for the minutes of a key meeting called by Government last November where it claims assurances were given that it would not have to pay back coronavirus crisis funding.
The 66 National League clubs are set to vote this week on whether or not to cut the season short, after learning that £11million to be offered as part of the Sports Winter Survival Package would be in the form of loans rather than grants.
It is understood each of the three divisions will take separate votes over whether to play on, with a resolution set to be sent out in the first part of this week.
In correspondence seen by the PA news agency, the National League claims it was told at a meeting called by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport on November 17 that “the second tranche of monies for January/February/March 2021 would be on the same principles as the initial tranche ie grants”.
National League clubs were supported from October to Dec-ember last year by a Government-brokered commercial deal with the National Lottery which did not involve repayment, but they are now concerned about making ends meet.
The league also says it has pointed out to DCMS that the cost of curtailment and placing staff on furlough at 66 clubs would be a bigger hit to the taxpayer - £14million - than to pay £11million in grants. Source: The Press
