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Communities, including those affected by the COVID-19 restrictions in West Lothian, Midlothian and the City of Edinburgh, continue to be supported by investment through the Scottish Government’s Communities funding package. Details of funding allocated by local authority area can be found using the Scottish Government’s Communities Fund Mapping Tool .

The tool highlights that since the start of the pandemic over £24.5 million has been allocated to support communities in West Lothian (£6m), Midlothian (£3.1m) and the City of Edinburgh (£15.4m). These areas also benefit from wider investments including those set out in recent correspondence to the Communities Committee . On 20 October 2020 the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People announced a further £30 million of funding to tackle financial insecurity across the winter period and continue the provision of Free School Meals during school holidays, allocations for this funding will be made available once formally agreed with COSLA Leaders.

To support businesses affected by the temporary restrictions put in place from 9 October, I announced the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund on 13 October, making an initial £40 million available. An increase to the value of grants through the scheme was announced on 21 October, with increased funding available to support businesses affected by the extension of restrictions.

These measures are part of the wider £2.3 billion package of support for business, including an estimated £972 million worth of COVID reliefs to reduce business costs during the pandemic, over £1 billion worth of business support fund grants and almost £160 million of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people.

Statistics on grants awarded by Local Authorities through the Small Business Grant Scheme and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme are published on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-fund-grant-statistics/ .

Statistics on the grants for the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund, Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund (PERF) and Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund (CTHEHF), and Bed and Breakfasts Hardship Fund (B&BHF) are published at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-hardship-and-resilience-funds-statistics

Statistics on relief awards by Local Authority will be available in the Non-domestic rates relief statistics publication scheduled for release on 30 November 2020. Grant awards through the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund will be reported in due course.

This unprecedented and fast-moving support recognises the crucial role that local authorities have during the Covid-19 crisis, and that the Scottish Government is committed to continue to deliver for businesses, communities and especially the most disadvantaged in our society.