Scottish Government Daily Update 24th March 2021

This update from the Scottish Government directs businesses to the most up to date information on COVID-19 as we move forward with our economic response.

The Find Business Support website has information on all the support available to businesses that have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions. We would encourage businesses to check the website for more information on what support they are eligible for and how they can apply.

The UK has now left the European Union, this update will highlight developments around Brexit that will be of particular interest to businesses. You will find the most up-to-date Brexit advice and support here.

Today at First Minister’s Questions, the First Minister gave an update on COVID-19 statistics and vaccination data. Read the full statement here.

Businesses have benefited from more than £1.94 billion in grants since March 2020. This is in addition to £965 million in COVID-19 non-domestic rates reliefs. The total paid in grants includes sectoral schemes that were not available in the rest of the UK – such as funds for wedding sector businesses, independent brewers and ski centres and more than £40 million paid to newly self-employed people and mobile close contact service providers, such as beauticians and hairdressers.

Holiday vouchers, discounts for days out and a marketing fund are included in a new £25 million tourism recovery programme which has been announced today.

A new Social Enterprise Action Plan will offer increased support to the sector - boosting its potential for growth and putting the soci al enterprise model at the heart of Scotland’s recovery from COVID-19.

A leading expert in scaling digital businesses has been appointed to oversee work to establish Scotland as a world-class technology hub. Mark Logan will advise ministers on implementing the recommendations stemming from his independent review of the Scottish tech ecosystem. The programme will be delivered with £7 million Scottish Government funding in its first year (2021-22).

You have been receiving economy COVID-19 updates from us since March last year, which we hope you have found informative and helpful in your response to the pandemic.

As you will be aware, the Scottish Parliamentary pre-election period begins on Thursday (25 March) and runs until the election to the Scottish Parliament takes place on 6 May 2021 and this places some restrictions on the activities of civil servants.

Our response to COVID-19 is on-going and throughout this period we will only issue these updates on an ‘as necessary’ basis to signpost you towards any new and essential information published.

The Scottish Government’s timetable for easing restrictions has been published. The timetable sets out how and when we plan to lift the current coronavirus restrictions over the coming weeks and months.

Safer workplace guidance is released on a sectoral basis and can be found here.

The NHS Inform coronavirus webpage is the fastest way for people to get the latest health advice and information.