CREWE and Nantwich Conservative Association are under fire after claiming £10,000 in Covid business cash.

The grant to the local constituency party's association was revealed after the Huffington Post online news site submitted a Freedom of Information Request.

Labour politicians in Crewe have slammed the move and say it came at a time when "some local businesses missed out or were left waiting" for government support.

The FOI showed 15 Conservative party branches across the country, including Crewe and Nantwich Conservatives, claimed £150,000 between them in grants.

Seven Constituency Labour Parties claimed £70,000 in total, but not Crewe and Nantwich. One branch of each party repaid their share of the cash.

Connor Naismith, from Crewe and Nantwich Constituency Labour Party said: "This is a slap in the face of the many deserving businesses and self-employed people who have slipped through the net of government support. It further reinforces the argument that there is one rule for Conservative party members and donors, but another for everyone else."

Crewe South Labour councillor Laura Smith said: "The cost of living is spiralling for people in Crewe and Nantwich, with a council tax increase and public sector pay freeze compounded by the impact of the virus on jobs in the private sector.

"Yet again we find the Tories wasting public money that should be going to those who are truly struggling."

The government aid was among a series of support schemes set up by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last year which gave local councils the job of handing out the awards.

Nub News contacted Crewe and Nantwich Conservative Association about its grant, but a spokesperson said the association would not be commenting.

Another Cheshire Conservative Association, Tatton whose MP is Esther McVey, the former work and pensions secretary, also received a £10,000 grant.

Nationally, the Conservative Party has said that it was councils who made the decision on eligibility.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said: "Local political associations are no different from other organisations in facing challenging times. The purpose of the coronavirus support schemes is to protect small organisations and prevent local job losses.

"The funding from these schemes is in line with government guidance."

Campaign group Excluded UK - set up to support those who didn't qualify for government aid during Covid, including the self-employment income support scheme - says handing cash to political parties as businesses folded was "very unjust".

Rachel Flower, of Excluded, says there had been a "postcode lottery" and added: "It seems very unfair that grants are being used in this way, yet not for the small businesses for which we were all led to believe that they were intended."