Scottish Government

A united set of recommendations from organisations representing Scotland’s hospitality sector have been submitted to the Scottish Government, urging Ministers to mirror the reopening plans for England as closely as possible, with the stripping away of additional restrictions such as a curfew a

The Scottish Government has paid out more than half a billion pounds in lifeline support to Scottish businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic since November 2020. The Strategic Framework Business Fund had paid out £214m by 22 February according to latest figures. Approximately 89% of th

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) chief officer Phil Prentice has welcomed a Scottish Government cash boost to support the nation’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will provide another £600,000 to further the work of BIDs a

Tenants and private sector landlords facing financial difficulties caused by the pandemic have more time to access support after two loan schemes were extended by the Scottish Government. The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme, both of

Finance secretary Kate Forbes has struck a deal with the Scottish Green Party which guarantees the Scottish Government's Budget Bill can clear its final stages. The deal will see the phased introduction of free school meals for all primary pupils, an enhanced public sector pay deal, new Pandemic Sup

Women living or working in Scottish agriculture will benefit from £115,000 of extra funding from the Scottish Government for a wide range of practical training courses including tractor and trailer driving. The financial package, announced by rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing on Intern

Finance secretary Kate Forbes has confirmed an extended cut to stamp duty for housebuyers in England will not be matched by the Scottish Government. Chancellor Rishi Sunak used his Budget to announce continued relief for property purchases, but the Scottish finance secretary said the temporary reduc

The UK Budget must provide adequate funding for Scotland and respect the devolution settlement, finance secretary Kate Forbes has said. The Scottish Government has committed to continuing business support during the next phase of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – including extending non-do

Banks should be encouraged to extend loan repayment periods to help struggling businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Benny Higgins, an adviser to the Scottish Government. In September last year, Mr Higgins was asked by economy secretary Fiona Hyslop to provide a review of ho

Proposed legislation to implement Scotland’s Budget for 2021-22 has passed its first parliamentary hurdle as MSPs voted to endorse the general principles of the Budget Bill at Stage 1. MSPs also approved the Scottish Rate Resolution, setting all income tax rates and bands.

The number of furloughed jobs in Scotland rose by just over a quarter between December and January, according to the latest HMRC coronavirus statistics. Provisional figures show as at 31st January 2021, 362,300 employments (14.9% of eligible employments) in Scotland were being supported by the Coron

Finance secretary Kate Forbes is urging MSPs to back the Budget Bill when it comes before Parliament for the first time today. Ms Forbes stressed that the Scottish Budget 2021-22 – incorporating additional measures outlined to Parliament last week including the extension of 100% rates relief f

All £8.6 billion of consequential funding guaranteed to the Scottish Government for 2020-21 has been allocated to tackling the pandemic, a new budget update has confirmed.

Ahead of the Scottish Government's vote to agree rates and bands of Scottish Income Tax for the 2021/22 tax year, the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has outlined what the changes are likely to mean for Scottish taxpayers. The debate is due to take place following the Stage 1 debate on the Bu

Scotland’s GDP is provisionally estimated to have fallen by 0.3% in December, according to the latest figures released by Scotland's chief statistician. GDP fell as restrictions on economic activity continued at the start of the month and were later extended across Scotland after Christmas.