Scottish Government

Plans to introduce a new levy dubbed the “Amazon tax” on digital retailers and block the construction of new retail parks have been revealed as part of a programme to boost Scotland’s town centres.

Minister for business, tourism, trade and enterprise Ivan McKee yesterday took part in a series of engagements and visits in Inverness, including a roundtable with business leaders, to discuss how businesses can be supported and how best to deliver on the aims of the National Strategy for Economic T

The latest round of awards from the first year of the Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) has provided fishing businesses and marine organisations in coastal communities with £7.4 million in funding. Overall, around £14 million has been awarded to date in 2021/22 across a range of projects, inclu

Public bodies are being given advice on how to handle contract bids from companies linked to Russia. To help strengthen economic sanctions imposed on Russia following the illegal invasion of Ukraine, guidance has been published on how to reject bids to procure a contract for goods or services from f

Employability services to help those most at risk of long-term unemployment will receive up to £113 million of funding from the Scottish Government.  To deliver the ambitions set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation and the Child Poverty Delivery Plan, tailored service

Economy secretary Kate Forbes met with leading entrepreneurs and innovators in Glasgow to discuss working together to deliver the entrepreneurial ambitions of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation. In the first of a series of industry roundtables, discussions focused on the entrepreneuri

Future private investment in Scotland’s natural capital – such as peatlands and woodlands - will be subject to a set of principles to help ensure it delivers social, environmental and economic benefit. During COP26, the Scottish Government committed to develop a values-led and high-integ

The annual National Economic Forum will take place in Edinburgh later today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and economy secretary Kate Forbes will engage with a range of entrepreneurs, business experts, stakeholders and economists on the Scottish Government’s ambitious economic plans.

Scotland's Chief Statistician has released figures on local government finance in 2020-21, revealing that local authorities net revenue expenditure reached £11,108 million over the period. Education and social work were the services with highest net revenue expenditure, accounting for £5

The UK Government must take bold and decisive action to help protect people from soaring living costs, according to finance secretary Kate Forbes. Speaking ahead of the Spring Statement today, Ms Forbes said the Chancellor of the Exchequer must use every tool available to provide support through wha

Scotland’s onshore GDP is estimated to have increased by 1.1% in January, according to the latest figures published by the Scottish Government.

A plan to help the technology sector reach new international markets has been published by the Scottish Government. Produced in partnership with industry experts, the Export Plan for Scotland’s Technology Sector identifies opportunities to build on strengths in key areas, including digital tec

The Scottish Government has announced a £4 million funding package to help improve infrastructure on Scotland’s islands. The capital investment will be allocated to the six island local authorities to fund the improvement, creation or safeguarding of locally developed infrastructure proj

People and businesses need urgent UK Government support to mitigate the rising cost of living, finance secretary Kate Forbes has said. In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak ahead of the Spring Statement, Ms Forbes called on UK Ministers to match the 6% uprate on social security

Almost £6 billion has been invested to support low income households across Scotland over the last three years. More than a third of that total, around £2.18 billion, has directly benefitted children as the Scottish Government prepares to publish its Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan