Kate Forbes

Payments to support businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic increased following the tightening of essential public health measures at Christmas.

New statistics show businesses have received £276m through the Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF), the hospitality, leisure and retail top-up payments and the Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund since November 2020.

A total of £244m was paid by these three funds in January alone, including £4.7m paid to taxi and private hire drivers in the first 10 days of claims. Statistics relating to other live funds will be published in due course.

Welcoming the figures, finance secretary Kate Forbes also confirmed that the Local Authority Discretionary Fund will be doubled to £120m to allow councils to respond further to local economic pressures.

Ms Forbes said: “Since the start of the pandemic we’ve done everything in our power to protect people’s livelihoods with business support accounting for over a third of total COVID-19 spend. Today’s figures demonstrate how closely we are working with colleagues in local government to ensure businesses in Scotland get the help they need.

“We understand the concerns of businesses unable to access the Strategic Framework Business Fund and that is why we are doubling the Local Authority Discretionary Fund to £120m. This will further enable councils to respond to local economic needs and support businesses in their area.”