Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/11965925 (091948ZDEC20) Notable: Final Covid 19 Bun / Coronavirus Scotland: £185m business support 'too little too late'
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Coronavirus Scotland: £185m business support 'too little too late'
9 December 2020
KATE Forbes has been accused of offering too little too late to businesses on the brink of collapse after she unveiled £185 million of support – but it won't be available until January.
Scotland’s Finance Secretary told MSPs that funding already passed onto the Scottish Government from Westminster will now be allocated - but £300 million will be held back as "contingency".
Ms Forbes said the £185 million pot of funding will be handed out on a “sector by sector basis so that it is appropriately targeted”.
Hospitality businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, will also be offered one-off payments of either £2,000 or £3,000 in January to help them mitigate the traditional post-Christmas dip in demand.
Included in the £185 million, is £60 million for the tourism sector – details of which are yet to be set out.
The funding will include £15 million for the wedding sector and supply chains including photographers, one-off grants totalling £15 million for mobile close contact services, such as hairdressers and a £19 million fund and one-off grants for taxi drivers.
A £5 million fund will be made available to travel agents along with almost £6 million for coach companies and tour operators and £1.5 million for visitor attractions.
The Scottish Government has also made £1.5 million available to “travelling show people ineligible of other support”.
Ms Forbes said: “We have listened to businesses and this assistance will be providPost too long. Click here to view the full text.