Businesses in West Lothian will receive their share of targeted Scottish Government coronavirus funding worth £185million.
The funding was recently announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and will benefit a wide range of sectors, such as taxi drivers, arts venues and the hospitality sector.
The Scottish Government is developing grant schemes for hospitality, the events sector, live music, arts, indoor football centres and the food and drink sector. A further £60 million will also be provided to the tourism sector.
In addition, there will be one-off payments of either £2,000 or £3,000 available for hospitality businesses in January to help them deal with the traditional post-Christmas dip in demand.
Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, commented,
“I welcome this Scottish Government funding as it will help support firms and ensure that our economy is on the best possible footing for when we come out of this health crisis together.
“There is now light at the end of the tunnel, but we are coming into a notoriously difficult period for businesses as we head into the winter months, and this package should help support local businesses struggling to get by and support the sectors worst-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Local businesses and industries here in West Lothian are understandably concerned about the impact that coronavirus will have on our economy. I have been working hard throughout the year to ensure that the struggling businesses in the constituency have been receiving the appropriate support.
“I would like to reassure businesses in West Lothian that the Scottish Government will continue to listen to the needs of businesses and review and refine the Covid-19 support on offer in response. As the Cabinet Secretary for Economy I have been committed to ensuring there is sufficient support available for businesses.
“I’d encourage all businesses in West Lothian to continue to ensure they are receiving the support they’re entitled to by visiting the Find Business Support Scottish Government website.”
ENDS
NOTES: Find Business Support website – https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice