Question reference: S5W-32482
- Date lodged: 13 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure that additional resources allocated to economic recovery go to those who need it most and are used to alleviate poverty, improve health outcomes and build stronger communities.
Answer
We understand the economic and social impact that restrictions are having on businesses and communities, that is why we have put in place a package of package of support worth over £2.3 billion to limit the impact of COVID-19 and this month we also confirmed £48 million of new support through our Covid-19 Restrictions Fund to help affected businesses and protect jobs.
With local businesses playing a key role in building stronger communities, we have awarded a number of to support small business through this challenging time. 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
We are increasing our investment in the Parental Employability Support Fund by £2.35 million for those most at-risk of poverty, including disabled, young, and ethnic minority parents. We are also extending the Fair Start Scotland service for a further two years to March 2023. This will provide support for unemployed disabled people, those with health conditions and/or other barriers to moving into fair and sustained work.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19): Fair Work Joint Statement also outlines our expectations regarding fair work practices in restarting Scotland’s economy: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-fair-work-statement/ .