Yesterday afternoon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing MSP, outlined further details on the specific sectoral business support packages that will be available in January 2021.

The funding is part of the short term response to the Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations and follows discussions with industry to target support, both of which Scottish Chambers (SCC) has been closely involved in.

SCC has urged the Scottish Government to get behind a comprehensive package of support that will ensure businesses can preserve as many jobs as is possible over the coming weeks and months, in light of the recently announced changes to restrictions which will take place from Boxing Day.

Details and opening dates for all funding pots will be announced in due course.

Please see a summary of these packages below:

• £19.2 million to provide one-off grants for hospitality businesses;
• £50.8 million for businesses with a rateable value of more than £51,000 that have not received support from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund or Hotel Support Programme and some additional support to smaller businesses impacted by restrictions;
• £11.8 million for international inbound, coach tourism and domestic tour operators;
• £7 million for self-catering;
• £5 million for visitor attractions;
• £2.5 million for outdoor tourism;
• £2.3 million for hostels;
• £2 million for ski centres;
• £1.5 million for travelling show people ineligible for other support;
• £1.2 million for Destination Management Organisations; and
• £1 million for B&Bs and guest houses excluded from the latest Non-Domestic Rates scheme.

You can find further information about eligibility requirements here: Strategic Framework Business Fund.